I know where I’m Going (John 12:20-26)

Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, 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. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If 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.

John 12:20-26 ESV

The visit of the wise men from the east marked the beginning of Jesus’ journey on earth.  Now the visit of  some Greek travelers signified the final hours of His journey, as Jesus declared “the hour has come”.  We do not know much about these foreign travelers, other than the fact that they were traveling among those who went up to worship at the feast. We can also imagine they must have heard a lot about Jesus from the crowd, and it stirred their curiosity about this King who entered the city on the donkey colt.  There was no star guiding them, but they approached Philip, a disciple who happened to also have a Greek name.  Why God chose the visits of these gentile men to signify the beginning and final hours of Jesus’ journey on earth, we do not know.  But what we know is that God so loved the world! Everyone, Jews and non-Jews, are in God’s wonderful plan, and He wants everyone to take part. 

Like those foreign travelers,  we used to travel around different places, or just travel along the flow with others, without knowing the true God, and true meaning of life.  But Jesus became that grain of wheat that fell into the earth and died to bring many fruits.  He died for the wise men that traveled from the east in the beginning, and he also died for these interested Greek seekers who came around His final hours.  He died for us all, so that we can live again.  Our life changed when we found Jesus.  And the new life we received is no longer to live for ourselves or to conform to the world.  We are to follow Jesus and His footsteps. Because this was the message that He left for all Christ seekers: “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also.”(v26)    This command also came with a great reward – “If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” Such a remarkable promise! People may come to Jesus with various reasons or intentions.  May we go to Him and follow Him with a genuine heart to love and to serve.  Everything we do for Jesus, small or big, will be remembered,  recognized, and honored by the Father! 

Dear Jesus, thank you for giving up your life, so I can live because of You.  I used to wander around without knowing the meaning of my life, without knowing You.  Thank you for saving me from my sins and ignorance.  Now I know where I’m going, because where you are, there will be your servants. I’m following you and your footsteps.  Help me to follow you to love and to serve others as you have commended.   

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While writing this devotional, an old song came in mind. Special thanks to Ed @The Miners for doing the acoustic cover for this song to accompany my casual singing.

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If you enjoyed the Miners song cover, you may also like to check out The Maker song cover we did on YouTube. 🙂