From Fr. Eaton -
I took the liberty of creating a message on the signboard what I felt was going to be at least part of the focus of Bp Lamb’s preaching on his Pastoral Visit to St. John’s, Lent 5, 2009.
The Gospel lesson from John 12 is the search by certain Greeks for Jesus, and they ask the question of Philip (who then tells Andrew, who then tells Jesus), “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” The bishop had written in the recent “Friday Reflections” of his intrigue in this favorite set of verses. So it seemed logical that we would be hearing some of that theme.
The rest of the signboard refers to the rest of the story. Somehow the Greeks seeking him out was a signal for Jesus to say what he did about dying, and why. Jesus’ response could be bluntly summarized as, “Now I must die.” And he uses an agricultural common fact to illustrate, that the kernel of wheat, falling on the ground, dies, and yet produces a crop.
The Greeks in this vignette, according to ancient custom of Cyril, and others, is a reference to gentiles of Galilee (Her0d’s territory, an inheritance from the Greek Empire). They might have seen in Philip a fellow countryman by dress or habit, giving some explanation as to why him. Cyril, and then Proclus, say that it was not surprising to find “Greeks” attending to certain larger Jewish national feasts, as an honoring of their God. Perhaps they were also drawn at this particular time due to hearing claims of a new king (Jesus!). The point is that these gentile Greeks, coming to honor the God of the Jews, turn to seek out Jesus - who really is the King of the Jews (!), but so many of the Jews have failed to see. So even to the spiritually undiscerning, those are able to see and seek out the Son of God. The fulfillment of all things, thus, has begun. And the only way for all the world to see – and all the world to participate in – their salvation, is for Jesus to die so he might also have victory over all death through and by his resurrection.
And that is how it is done for us, as well. John 12 is a reminder of the message heard previously, that 1) only if you lose your life for His sake will you find (save) it, and 2) if you are to be a disciple of Jesus you must pick up your own cross and follow him. So, we too must die (daily) that Jesus’ resurrection power might be our life.
