We Wish to See Jesus (John 12:12-50)
Group Guides | Sharing the gospel, sharing our lives (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
By way of introduction: What things are essential to believe in our world, that are “a matter of life and death?”
Read John 12:12-19
The disciples could see that this scene is full of Old Testament language, imagery and prophecy. Discuss the connections to Psalm 118:25-26 and Zechariah 9:9 - and what do they mean for us who are looking on?
Read John 12:20-26
It is often inscribed in old pulpits, for the preacher to read: “Sir, we wish to see Jesus”. These Greeks bring that question, and Jesus says that his hour has come. We readers have been waiting for this hour, since it was first mentioned (John 2:4, and again 7:30, 8:20). What does this timing now signal?
Read John 12:27-36
Jesus speaks about the ‘kind of death he was going to die’. What does he teach us about his crucifixion here?
Read John 12:36b-50
Jesus speaks about unbelief and belief here, in his final public words before he speaks privately with his disciples over Passover. What is Jesus saying to the world?
John’s reason for writing this Gospel is found in John 20:30-31. How does this reason connect with what Jesus preaches to the world here?
What difference does this episode in John’s Gospel make to our church-life?
Pray that we would see Jesus, and see that truly change what we love and how we live.
