JESUS PREDICTS HIS DEATH
Jun 22- Justin Doyle
01. THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT JESUS (vv. 20–26)
Jesus came to die, and He calls us to follow.
Jesus doesn’t ignore the Greeks. He answers their request in the most unexpected way: by predicting His death.
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (v. 24)
Jesus says His glory will come through death. He’s not a political king or motivational guru, He’s the Lamb who dies for the world. His path to glory is a cross.
But then comes the flip:
“Whoever loves his life loses it… If anyone serves me, he must follow me…” (vv. 25–26)
Jesus invites us to die, too. To lay down our lives, take up our cross, and follow Him—not just admire Him.
📝 Write this down:
Jesus’ dying for your salvation is also His design for your imitation.
This is where we truly see Him, when we follow Him into self-denial, surrender, and servanthood. That’s how the world sees Jesus in us.
And He promises:
If you die with Him, you’ll bear fruit.
If you let go of this life, you’ll gain eternity.
If you follow Him, you’ll be with Him.
If you serve Him, the Father will honor you.
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” – Jim Elliot
What do you need to lay down to truly follow Jesus?
02. THE GLORY OF GOD (vv. 27–36)
God is glorified through the cross and your rescue.
Jesus prays in verse 28:
“Father, glorify your name.”
And God answers:
“I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
From Christmas (Luke 2: “Glory to God in the highest!”) to the Cross—everything Jesus did was about the glory of God.
So how does God glorify Himself in the cross?
A. He judges the world and casts out Satan
“Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.” (v. 31)
At the cross, Jesus draws a hard line in the sand: sin is judged, Satan is defeated. If you’re in Christ, your case is closed. Satan has nothing on you. Your file is empty. The accuser is cast out. That’s glory.
B. He draws His people to Himself
“When I am lifted up… I will draw all people to myself.” (v. 32)
Jesus’ death doesn’t just invite—it secures. It brings home all His sheep.
John 10:16: “I have other sheep… I must bring them also.”
John 6:44: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.”
Jesus doesn’t merely hope people respond—He guarantees it. If you’re His, He will bring you home.
C. He shines His light into the world
“While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” (v. 36)
When we believe, we don’t just see the light—we become light. That’s glory shining through us.
03. BELIEF IN JESUS (vv. 37–50)
Jesus ends His public ministry with one final plea.
Despite all the miracles, many still didn’t believe. It’s heartbreaking. The Light of the world was standing right in front of them—and they chose darkness.
Just like Simeon predicted in Luke 2: “This child is appointed for the fall and rising of many… so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
And Jesus ends His public ministry with this:
“Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me… I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” (vv. 44–46)
If you reject Jesus, you reject God. But if you trust Jesus—you are rescued from the darkness.
“I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.” (v. 47)
“His commandment is eternal life.” (v. 50)
These are the final public words of Jesus before the cross. And they are an open invitation:
💬 Believe in Me. Step into the light. Live forever.
APPLICATION:
1. Do you want to see Jesus—or just admire Him from a distance?
2. What in your life needs to be put to death to follow Christ more fully?
3. Are you trusting in the glory of God through the cross, or trying to save yourself?
4. Have you stepped out of darkness into the light by believing in Jesus?
“Follow me. Die with me. Hate your life in this world with me. Serve me.” – Jesus
He’s worth it.
GROUP QUESTIONS:
Why is it so significant that Greeks (Gentiles) were seeking Jesus in John 12:20–21? How does this moment mark a shift in Jesus’ ministry?
Jesus says that unless a grain of wheat dies, it remains alone. What does it look like in your life to “die” with Christ in order to bear fruit?
Jesus doesn’t just call us to believe in Him, He calls us to follow Him. Where are you tempted to admire Jesus from a distance instead of walking the road of Calvary with Him?
In what ways does Jesus’ death simultaneously judge the world and cast out Satan (John 12:31)? How does this deepen your understanding of the cross?
Read John 12:37–43. Why do you think so many rejected Jesus despite the signs? How can fear of people or love of praise still block us from fully believing today?
Jesus claims to be the Light who rescues us from darkness (John 12:46). What’s one area of your life where you need to step more fully into His light?