Vs21 — "So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”"

This is the question we must ask. Do we really want to see Jesus? Do we want to know him for who he is, or are we content with our traditions? Do we really want the gospel in power?

God gives us a desire to see Jesus for WHO HE IS, just like he gave it to Zacchaeus, the tax collecting thief. Luke 19:3-4, "He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way." He takes away our prejudices, and draws our attention, or we perish!

Secondly, if you see Jesus, then you'll see him in his glory.

John 12:23 — "And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified."

He never reveals himself apart from the glory of the cross. He reveals redemption from sins by the blood of atonement - that God is just to justify, because he gave up his own life in great love. The glory of Christ is he died to bear much fruit, and to redeem the sons of men.

John 12:24 — "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."

God gave him people from every tribe and nation. He laid them on his loving heart. He loved them freely, without any cause in us, and died to bring us back unto God - to deliver us from death and destruction: he gave up his own life.

This unexplainable redeeming love is given to all who trust him. God gave up his Son to resurrect him, and bring many sons to glory [John 10:17-18].

God's populating heaven with blood washed sinners, who'll have holiness and the highest happiness forever. He's filling our hearts with joy now, as we serve him by the Spirit [1 Timothy 4:8]!

Thirdly, here are the conditions of the gospel. Give up your life!

John 12:25 — "Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."

Repent and believe the gospel. Turn your life over to him, and he'll give you a better life. Peace with God and power over sin is your inheritance, along with the joys and pains of the kingdom [Exodus 12:8; Mark 10:30].

We forsake all to gain all, and there's no other way. The more we live for him, the more we see his beauty, and experience his death defying and bondage breaking peace. Holiness is happiness, when performed by the Spirit.

Our peace the world cannot understand, because they do not see him or know him. We know him feelingly by faith!

Fourthly, this life has a lot of troubles. There's a war in your soul to honor God. The remedy is not to draw back, but to draw near.

John 12:27 — "“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour."

Christ's blood - his victory over death and temptation - gives us access to the Father, when we are weak and tempted! Ephesians 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through His faith." When we're lured to depart into our own way - to love the world, and grow cold - we can approach him, and say, "Glorify your name. Make me able to serve you."

We are weak and fallen, but he lifts us up. Grace enables God to save the sinner, and help the saint. Our cross is carried by his Spirit.

Draw near to God. Confess your sins, and he'll receive you. Ask him to improve you from the inside out. Don't be satisfied with carnal ambitions. Give him your heart.

John 12:28 — "Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”"

God will glorify his name by giving us victory, just as he did for Jesus. He'll raise us with power, and we'll bear the burden. We'll successfully worship him, and the benefits of a consecrated life will be ours.

Power to love God will come with the highest joys, as he rewards us now and forever. There's a reward for the righteous that's not of this world: the world can't give it, nor take it away. There's an honor of holiness and happiness that the natural mind cannot experience. There's love for God and man, as we bask in God's love. Heaven itself is perfect love, without pain or cessation.

Finally, let me give a warning. Trust Christ, while you can.

John 12:34 — "So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”"

They had so many questions, after Christ revealed himself clearly. They didn't want to see Jesus, or they would have. They wanted religious talk and traditions. They wanted to go about their lives. They were curious, but not convicted. They didn't need eternal life, and they weren't going to pay the price. Unlike the woman at the well in John 4, they talked about religion with no desire for the Christ. If it wasn't one question, then it'd be another. Jesus came, and they were worse off, rather than better.

The gospel hasn't come to us for idle chatter. It's not an interesting story to consider. It's the GREATEST THING we've ever heard - the salvation of our souls.

John 12:36 — "While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them."

Believing the gospel is a command. We must do it urgently, before it's taken away by our proud unbelief and indifference. Today is the day. We may never make it back, if we resist the truth now!

Jesus hid himself from those who played games. Lazarus was risen, and the Father thundered from heaven. Yet, they didn't care - just endless stupid questions.