A Seed Must Die: What Jesus Taught Before the Cross (John 12:20–36)
Have you ever thought about what you’d say if you knew you had only a few days left to live? What message would you leave behind?
In John 12:20–36, Jesus is in that very situation. He knows the cross is just days away. But instead of hiding or running, He speaks with boldness and love. His words help us understand why He came and what it means to follow Him.
Let’s look at what happened.
A Surprising Request
Some Greek visitors—non-Jews who had come to worship at the festival—wanted to see Jesus. They went to one of His disciples, Philip, who then told Andrew. Together, they brought the request to Jesus.
This small moment meant something big: Jesus’ message was beginning to reach the whole world, not just the Jewish people. And this, Jesus said, was the sign that His time had come.
“The Hour Has Come”
Jesus responded in a surprising way. Instead of meeting the Greeks immediately, He said:
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”
In other words, His mission was about to be completed. But Jesus didn’t talk about fame or power. He talked about a seed.
He said:
“Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
Jesus was talking about His own death. Just like a seed must be buried in the ground to grow, He had to give up His life so that many others could have eternal life.
Then Jesus gave a challenge to us:
“Anyone who loves their life will lose it, but anyone who gives up their life for me will keep it.”
Following Jesus means we don’t just live for ourselves. We give our lives to Him—and in doing so, we find true life.
A Troubled Heart and a Willing Spirit
Jesus was honest about how He felt:
“Now my soul is troubled.”
He knew the pain that was coming. He could have asked to escape it. But instead, He said:
“Father, glorify Your name.”
God answered in a voice from heaven, saying:
“I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
The crowd heard the voice—some thought it was thunder, others thought it was an angel. Jesus explained that the voice wasn’t for Him, but for them. It was a reminder that God was in control, and His plan was unfolding.
Jesus Explains the Cross
Jesus then said something powerful:
“Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.”
He was talking about defeating sin and Satan through the cross.
Then He added:
“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
“Lifted up” meant being raised on the cross. He was telling them, clearly, that He was going to die—but through that death, He would invite everyone to come to Him.
The Crowd’s Confusion
The people were confused. They thought the Messiah would live forever. So why was Jesus talking about dying?
They asked, “Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”
They couldn’t understand that the path to victory would go through suffering.
Walk in the Light
Jesus didn’t answer all their questions directly. Instead, He gave a warning:
“You’re going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light… Believe in the light while you have it, so that you may become children of light.”
Jesus was the light. He was saying: Don’t wait. Believe in Me now, while you have the chance.
After saying this, Jesus left and hid Himself. This marked the end of His public teaching.
What Does This Mean for Us?
So, what can we learn from this moment in Jesus’ life?
Life Comes Through Sacrifice
Just like a seed dies to grow, Jesus gave up His life so we could live. We are also called to give up our selfish ways and follow Him.
Follow the Light While You Can
Jesus tells us not to wait. The invitation is now. Let’s walk in His light before darkness closes in.
God Is Glorified Through Obedience
Even though Jesus was troubled, He chose to obey. That’s real courage—and real love.
The Cross Wasn’t a Defeat—It Was a Victory
Through His death, Jesus judged evil, defeated Satan, and opened the door for all people to come to God.
Final Thoughts
Jesus didn’t run from the cross. He walked toward it with courage, knowing that His death would bring life to many. He spoke plainly to the crowd and left them with a choice: believe in the light, or stay in the dark.
That choice is still ours today.
Will you walk in the light while you have the chance?
Reflection Question:
What part of your life needs to “die” like the seed—so that something new and beautiful can grow in Christ?
John 12:20-36 (WEB)
12:20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who went up to worship at the feast. 21 Therefore, these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn, Andrew came with Philip, and they told Jesus.23 Jesus answered them, “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there my servant will also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.27 “Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this time’? But I came to this time for this cause. 28 Father, glorify your name!”Then a voice came out of the sky, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”29 Therefore the multitude who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”30 Jesus answered, “This voice hasn’t come for my sake, but for your sakes. 31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 But he said this, signifying by what kind of death he should die.34 The multitude answered him, “We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever. How do you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”35 Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become children of light.” Jesus said these things, and he departed and hid himself from them.