Readings: Numbers 21:4-9 | 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 | John 12:20-33
Text: John 12:20-33
Greeks seek wisdom, Jews seek signs. This is shorthand for what two particular groups of people are looking for out of their religion. They are still applicable to people today. There are those who seek a brand of religion so that they can be right. In the first century, they were called “schools,” and you would subscribe to one or another. Today, there’s so much fragmentation that even words like party or follower don’t encompass a single bloc of people. Yet, the common thread is a desire to be in the right.
The other, I’ll just mention are those who seek a religion to be confirmed by extraordinary experiences, whether it’s miraculous cures, an inner voice that’s allegedly from God, or someone who claims to be a modern-day prophet.
But, back to the proverbial Greek in today’s age. Much of apologetics is dominated by the conviction that you can convince the unbeliever by confounding their trust in evolution. Destroy their faulty worldview so that it can be replaced with a Christian worldview.
After all, our view is the right one. Isn’t it? After having being cured of their deception, they should readily see that we were right the whole time. On the Last Day, Jesus will surely say, “Blessed are those who were right about the age of the earth, and who fought for conservative causes to the end.” Except that Jesus doesn’t say that. Instead, He says to those who have truly believed in Him,
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)
Whether one is “proclaiming the scientific evidence that is in harmony with God’s Word” (Mt. St. Helens Creation Center) or “embark[ing] on a mission to build the most organized, active, and powerful conservative grassroots activist network on high school and college campuses” (TPUSA), these actions are not cause to boast before God.
You see, there’s an important distinction to be made between the wisdom that makes for a flourishing society and eternal salvation. They are not mutually exclusive, but having the one does not assume the other. Making our country ‘a better place’ does not make you a good Christian. However, a believer in Christ will by all means seek to make our country a place for righteousness to flourish and justice to be maintained.
Many people are grieving Charlie Kirk’s assassination, because it was tragic what happened to him. He strove for America to be better country, providing education for young people against the Marxist indoctrination common in schools and universities. He sought to restore the good of our democratic republic. Yet, he was taken away by violence.
He was also a professing Christian. He promoted Biblical living. He encouraged young women to consider “God’s plan for your career.” One division of Turning Point USA was motivated by the conviction that “America needs a strong Church.” None of this would be what made Charlie Kirk a Christian. Only his repentance and faith in Christ could do that.
None of the temporal good is to be confused with the eternal good that comes to men through faith alone. The danger of modern politics is that it has become intensely religious. It has its saints, martyrs, and dogmas on both sides of the spectrum. Elections are synonymous with the showdown between Elijah and Baal, and Christian rhetoric is even borrowed in support of one side or the other—as long as it suits the agenda.
It can be confusing, because the good of society is a godly goal. Honoring and serving our elected leaders is a Christian virtue. Protecting the weak and destitute is our Lord’s command. Punishing wicked behavior and all evildoers is in accord with the will of God. Saving people from destructive behavior is the job of good, godly government (see Psalm 82). Yet, in pursuing all of these good things, let us not forget what each person needs, lest they go to hell because they sought to be clothed in the Stars and Stripes rather than the white robes of Christ’s righteousness [see Matthew 22:1-14].
Like those Greeks who sought Jesus, God has called us out of the emptiness of manmade worship. Despite what wisdom offered them, they said, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” These are wise words for us to have emblazoned on our hearts. The Kingdom of Heaven will not grow by political action; it will grow as people see Jesus.
But there is a difference between political action and the Kingdom of God, which we must understand. The Kingdom of God is not going to be received by those who refuse God’s Word. Here’s how that plays out: “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18) It appeals to many to devote themselves to a worthy, worldly cause. Even prideful unbelievers can endeavor to secure life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for themselves and their posterity. As noble as that looks in the eyes of man, no one is saved by their works. Every last one is a sinner—”there is none who does good, not even one.” (Psalm 14:3)
So, how did our Lord relate to those Greeks who sought Him?
22Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
Immediately, He leads them to His cross. He uses parabolic language to describe what must happen to Him. Like the Parable of the Sower, it’s not advice for how to plant your field. He says here that the grain of wheat must be slain and buried in the earth. That would make for some very violent farming. Instead, it’s clear that He’s talking about what must happen to Him. He must be taken away by violence specifically because He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. But this is about Him alone, because only His death brings much fruit after it springs up to conquer the grave!
Yet, those who serve Him must follow a similar course. They must be willing to let go of life in this world, and rather follow Christ to the eternal life He alone gives. That’s what it means to “hate [one’s] life in this world.” It’s a manner of speaking, not that we actually despise it. This epitomizes the Christian’s manner of living in this world. They are ready to lay it down, if that be God’s will. But until that time, they can and must live serving Christ.
Back to Charlie Kirk for a moment. TPUSA is releasing a memorial shirt that features an iconic drawing of Charlie, with the caption “Here I am; send me” Isaiah 6:8. Now, I would object to this on theological grounds because this is Isaiah’s call into prophetic ministry. Prophetic or apostolic ministry is a specific calling to preach and teach the Word of God. However, evoking this verse does teach what unfolds in the verses immediately before (Isaiah 6:1-7). Isaiah, the sinner, receives the absolution from the Lord Himself: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
This is what has happened for everyone who comes to Jesus in repentance and faith. “32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.” The response of Isaiah, the forgiven servant of God, was a call into the public ministry of his day. But the same movement happens for every forgiven servant of God: We ask where our Lord would have use for us? If you ask Him that question, He will by all means answer.
A great place to start is the Table of Duties in the Small Catechism—those Bible verses that guide how God would have us live in the earthly callings we have. Yet, He gives unique gifts to each, which gives further definition to our callings. Consider the place that the Lord has put you, what abilities He has given you, and He will bring the good service out of that.
All that we do in service to Christ will bring honor and glory to Him, in service to our neighbors and city, or perhaps to our state and country. TPUSA’s moniker is “The fight continues” after Kirk’s death. The Christian’s is “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24) because Jesus lives and calls us to serve Him on the way that leads to eternal life.
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
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