QT 11/09/2026 Fri John 12:20–36 Dying to Live: The Way of Jesus 死而复生：耶稣的道路
QT 11/09/2026 Fri John 12:20–36 Dying to Live: The Way of Jesus
READ https://www.esv.org/john12:20-36/
What if the greatest victory in history looked like a defeat? In John 12, Jesus tells us that a grain must fall and die to produce much fruit. The cross wasn’t the end—it was the beginning of life. What does that mean for you and me? Let’s discover it together.
John 12:20–36 presents a powerful picture of Jesus’ mission and the meaning of His approaching death. Some Greeks came to Jerusalem to worship and expressed their desire to see Jesus. Their request becomes the occasion for Jesus to reveal that the hour of His glorification has arrived. His “glory” would come through His sacrificial death, resurrection, and the salvation of people from every nation.
(1) Jesus’ death brings abundant life (vv. 23–24).
Jesus compares Himself to a grain of wheat: unless it falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. This points directly to His death on the cross. His sacrifice would bring salvation and spiritual life to many. The gospel reminds us that our salvation rests not in our goodness, but in Christ’s sacrificial work for us.
(2) Following Jesus requires surrender (vv. 25–26).
Jesus teaches that those who love their life in this world will lose it, while those who surrender their lives to Him will keep them for eternal life. Genuine discipleship involves denying self, turning from sin, and placing Christ above our own ambitions and comforts. Jesus does not merely call us to admire Him; He calls us to follow Him.
(3) Jesus willingly embraced the cross (vv. 27–28).
Jesus acknowledges the deep anguish He faces: “Now is my soul troubled.” Yet He does not ask to escape the cross. Instead, He submits to the Father’s purpose: “Father, glorify your name.” His suffering was not an accident or a defeat. It was the obedient fulfillment of God’s saving plan.
(4) The cross brings judgment and victory (vv. 31–33).
Jesus declares that the ruler of this world will be cast out and that, when He is lifted up, He will draw people to Himself. The cross appears to be Christ’s humiliation, but it is actually His victory over sin and Satan. Through His death, Jesus opens the way of salvation to all who believe.
(5) We are called to walk in the light (vv. 35–36).
Jesus urges His hearers to believe in the light while they still have the light. The proper response to the gospel is faith. We should not postpone turning to Christ. Those who believe in Him become “sons of light,” called to live according to the truth they have received.
Reflection
John 12 reminds us that Christianity is centred on the cross. Jesus willingly gave Himself so that sinners could receive eternal life. His death produced fruit far beyond what His disciples could initially understand, reaching people from every nation—including the Greeks who sought Him.
The passage therefore calls us to two responses: believe in Christ and surrender our lives to Him. We cannot truly follow Jesus while making ourselves the center of our lives. The One who gave His life for us deserves our whole-hearted devotion.
Prayer
Heavenly Father. Thank You for sending Jesus to give His life for our salvation. Help us to trust Him, surrender our lives to You, and walk in Your light each day. May our lives bear fruit that brings glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
QT 11/09/2026 星期五 约翰福音 12:20–36 死而复生：耶稣的道路
阅读 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john 12%3A20-36&version=CNVS
倘若历史上最伟大的胜利看起来像是一场失败，会怎样？在《约翰福音》第12章中，耶稣告诉我们，一粒麦子必须掉在地上并死去，才能结出许多果实。十字架并非终点——而是生命的开端。这对你和我意味着什么？让我们一起探索。
《约翰福音》12:20–36生动地展现了耶稣的使命及其即将临到的死亡的意义。一些希腊人来到耶路撒冷敬拜，并表达了想见耶稣的愿望。他们的请求成了耶稣揭示祂得荣耀之时刻已然来临的契机。祂的“荣耀”将通过祂的牺牲之死、复活，以及拯救万国之民而显明。
(1) 耶稣的死带来丰盛的生命（第23–24节）。
耶稣将自己比作一粒麦子：若不落在地里死了，仍旧是一粒；若是死了，就结出许多子粒来。这直接指向祂在十字架上的受死。祂的牺牲将为许多人带来救恩和属灵的生命。福音提醒我们，我们的救恩不在于我们的良善，而在于基督为我们所做的牺牲之工。
(2) 跟随耶稣需要完全顺服（第25–26节）。
耶稣教导说，那些爱这世上生命的人将失去生命，而那些将生命交托给祂的人，却要得着永生。真正的门徒生活包括舍己、远离罪恶，并将基督置于我们自身的野心和安逸之上。耶稣不仅呼召我们敬仰祂，更呼召我们跟随祂。
(3) 耶稣甘愿背负十字架（第27–28节）。
耶稣承认自己正面临深切的痛苦：“我现在心里烦乱。”但他并没有求免去十字架。相反，他顺服于天父的旨意：“父啊，愿你荣耀你的名！” 他的受难并非偶然，也不是失败，而是对神救赎计划的顺服成就。
(4) 十字架带来审判与胜利（第31–33节）。
耶稣宣告，这世界的王将被赶出去；当祂被举起来时，祂将吸引人归向自己。十字架看似是基督的羞辱，但实际上却是祂对罪和撒但的胜利。借着祂的死，耶稣为所有信祂的人开辟了得救的道路。
(5) 我们被呼召要行在光中（第35–36节）。
耶稣敦促听众趁着还有光的时候信靠这光。对福音的正确回应就是信心。我们不应推迟归向基督。信靠祂的人便成为“光之子”，被呼召要按照所领受的真理而活。
反思
《约翰福音》第12章提醒我们，基督教的核心是十字架。耶稣甘愿献上自己，使罪人得以获得永生。祂的死结出了远超门徒最初所能理解的果实，触及了来自各国的人——包括那些寻求祂的希腊人。
因此，这段经文呼吁我们作出两种回应：信靠基督，并将生命交托给祂。如果把自身置于生命中心，我们就无法真正跟随耶稣。那位为我们舍命的主，配得我们全心的奉献。
祷告
天父，感谢祢差遣耶稣为我们舍命，使我们得救。求祢帮助我们信靠祂，将生命交托给祢，并每日行在祢的光中。愿我们的生命结出果子，使祢的名得着荣耀。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。
