A Grain of Wheat

John 12 marks a turning point. The public ministry of Jesus ends, and His hour arrives. At Bethany, Mary poured a pound of pure nard on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair, and the house was filled with the fragrance. Judas complained that it could have been sold and given to the poor. John explains that he was a thief who stole from the money box. Jesus said, Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial. Mary's lavish love was more fitting than she knew, for Jesus would soon be buried.

Crowds went out with palm branches, a symbol of victory, crying Hosanna, which means save us. Jesus chose a young donkey, fulfilling the words of Zechariah. He was a King of peace, not a warrior on a horse. The Pharisees complained, Look, the world has gone after him.

When some Greeks asked to see Jesus, He announced, The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. Jesus' glory would come through His death. He said, Now my soul is troubled. Yet He would not ask to be spared. He prayed, Father, glorify your name, and the Father answered from heaven. Jesus said He would draw all people to Himself when lifted up. John closes the chapter with sad words. Even after so many signs, many did not believe, fulfilling Isaiah. Some believed in secret because they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.