Many young people enjoy playing basketball in high school and college. But only a few of them are able to play in the NBA. One of those who did was Shaquille O’Neal. He played for six teams during his 19-year career. During that career, he won 4 NBA championships, an NBA MVP award, 3 finals MVPs, and 15 All-Star selections. But all of these accolades came with a cost. His dedication to the game required him to be away from home for long periods of time and eventually led to a divorce. In a recent video1, Shaq told his son that playing in the NBA would take complete dedication. If he wanted to be successful, nothing else could get in the way. Shaq wanted to know if his son was really willing to do that. Today’s message involves a similar choice. When a number of people wanted to see Jesus, He made it clear that following Him was a choice that would affect their lives in notable ways. Were they willing to give up their lives for Him or was this just a temporary fascination?
- What does it say?
There were certain Greeks among those going up to worship at the feast. Because of that, these people came to Phillip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and were asking him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” Phillip came and told Andrew. Then Andrew and Phillip came and told Jesus. Jesus replied, “The hour has come that the Son of man should be glorified. Truly, truly I say to you, if the grain of wheat had not fallen into the ground that it should die2, it remains alone. But if it died, it bears much fruit. The one who loves his life is losing it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone should choose to serve Me, let him follow Me. And where I am, there My servant will be. If anyone should choose to serve Me, the Father will honor him.” - What does it mean?
Jesus knew that people were seeking Him (John 12:20-22).
When Greeks came to Jerusalem to worship at the feast, some of them wanted to meet Jesus. We are not told whether these were Hellenistic Jews or God-fearing Greeks who had become Jewish proselytes. However, they seemed to be devout believers of some sort as they were attending the Feast of Passover in Jerusalem. They had probably heard the news about Jesus from the locals because of the recent, miraculous resurrection of Lazarus. But knowledge of Jesus could have come from other places as well. During His earthly ministry, Jesus had traveled through the regions of Judea, Samaria, Galilee, Decapolis, Perea, Gaulanitis, and Phoenicia. He had preached and healed people all over the place. So, it is no surprise that some of the Greeks had heard about him.
Whether because of curiosity or true faith in Him, these people wanted to schedule a meeting with Jesus. But it was not easy to do this because the jealous Jews were seeking to kill Jesus at that very moment. It may also be that the disciples “tried to do some screening.”3 Remember how the disciples had tried to stop parents from bringing children to Jesus? (Luke 18:15-16). In any event, the Greeks first talked to Phillip who may have been familiar with him when he lived in Bethsaida. After talking with them, Phillip went to Andrew before they told Jesus about the request for a meeting. This process was probably necessary to keep Jesus from being swamped by visitors. But we mustn’t think that He didn’t care about them. It was just necessary to keep things in order.
However, you may be surprised at how Jesus responded after hearing their request. He didn’t seem to jump at the opportunity to meet with them. Instead, He talked about the future and what it took to be one of His followers. We are not told, but it might have been due to Him knowing their hearts. Many had proclaimed their desire to follow Him at different times, but they often left when the going got tough.
Jesus knew that His death was coming (John 12:23-24).
What was it that Jesus was thinking about when these people came to visit Him? He was focused on His future death. Although He knew that He would die, He described it as something that would glorify Him and multiply His effectiveness. How would these things be accomplished? First, His death brought Him glory because of what it accomplished. When Jesus died on the cross, He was glorified as the One who took away the sins of the world. Later in the chapter, Jesus stated that if He was lifted up (on the cross), He would draw all men to Himself (John 12:32). In this way, He was glorified because everyone would know what He lovingly accomplished for all who would believe.
Second, His death would multiply His effectiveness. Jesus used a grain of wheat to illustrate this. If instead of planting a seed in the ground, you were to keep it in your hand, it would remain alone. In effect, that single seed would accomplish no more than it would have by itself. However, if the seed was placed in the ground, it would die (no longer be a seed) but would produce much more than it did by itself. This is true in the illustration and when applied to Jesus’ death. Just as a planted seed dies but becomes a fruitful plant, so Jesus’ death would produce much more than if He did not die.
Are you surprised by Jesus’ attitude about His death? He viewed His death as something that would glorify Him and do a lot of good for others. The Bible teaches that Jesus’ death brought glory to Him because He paid the price for our sins and enabled us to be reconciled to God whom we have sinned against.
Jesus knew that people needed to make a choice (John 12:25-26).
After speaking about His own death, Jesus pivoted toward those who wanted to follow Him. If Jesus willingly gave up His life for us, how should we choose to live our lives?
First, there was the choice to love or hate your own life. For those who were excited to follow Jesus, this was a necessary note. Following Jesus involved a choice to stop making life about self. The person who was always focused on himself would continually lose what he valued. But the person who hated his life would end up with eternal treasures that would follow Him into eternity. This is true. What you focus on will determine the results of your life.
Second, there was the choice to serve Jesus. The person who chose to serve Him would no longer love His life. Instead, he would make the choice to be a servant of Jesus. He would willingly leave all to follow Him. Remember the choice of the rich, young ruler? He was unwilling to leave His wealth to follow Jesus. His choice kept him from becoming one of Jesus’ disciples. But Jesus promised that those who did serve and follow Him would be where He was. Where was Jesus going to be? He was going to die but eventually be in heaven. His servants would follow in His footsteps.
Third, there was the result of choosing to serve Jesus. Serving Jesus was a big step in each disciple’s life. It involved being focused on eternal values. It involved being with Jesus now and in the future. But it also involved honor from the Father. Jesus stated that the individual who chose to serve Him would be honored by God the Father. Those who followed Jesus were often persecuted for their choice. Paul, who once persecuted the church, was later persecuted by those with whom he had formerly worked because he chose to follow Jesus. He was hated by the world but honored by the Father. If you were to think of someone whom God honored in the Bible, Paul would be one of the first you would remember.
At the beginning of the paragraph, certain people had wanted to meet Jesus. They may have even wanted to become His disciples. But Jesus made it clear that following Him was not as glamorous as they might expect. They wouldn’t be choosing a life of glory and self-focus. Instead, they would need to realize how difficult it would be in the present. Were they truly willing to follow Him after all that He had said? - How does it apply?
What is the focus of your life?
Jesus made it clear that loving your own life is a wrong focus. Too many people were focused on themselves to serve the Lord. It was the difference between love and hate. Someone who loves his life will always be focused on himself and the pleasures that life can give. Someone who hates his life will not be a self-hater but will be so focused on what God wants that he hates to let his life get in the way.
As you consider what Jesus said, ask yourself this convicting question. What is the focus of my life? Am I constantly thinking about what will make me happy? If so, you have a wrong focus. Jesus wants you to stop thinking so much about yourself and to start thinking with eternal values in mind. Life shouldn’t be all about you. Make the choice to set your own desires aside for things that will last for eternity.
Are you willing to serve Jesus?
Jesus made it clear that serving Him was a choice. If someone chose to serve Jesus, he would need to follow wherever He went. That would involve the thrill of helping people but also speaking to those who didn’t want to hear His message. And it could lead to persecution and even death. But those who made that choice would be honored by God the Father. And this honor was more than enough to compensate each follower for what he went through.
Choosing to serve Jesus is not an easy decision to make. And yet you are faced with that choice today. Will you continue to live for yourself, or will you willingly choose to serve Jesus with your whole life? If you choose to hold on to your life, you will eventually lose it. But if you choose to serve and follow Jesus, you will find that He will walk right alongside you. It will not be easy, but it will be the better choice. What will you do?
Conclusion
Throughout the years, many people have chosen to follow Jesus. Think about Peter, James, and John who left their fishing business to follow Jesus. Think of Zaccheus who left his lucrative tax collecting job to follow Jesus. There are many others. But there were many who chose to not follow Jesus. Think of the rich, young ruler who couldn’t let go of his wealth to follow Jesus. Think of Felix who heard the gospel but told Paul to come back at a more convenient time because he was afraid of what following Jesus would mean for him. Which of these made the better choice? They all lived their lives according to the choices they made. But only those who chose to follow Jesus are rejoicing in heaven today. What choice will you make?
Bibliography
Blum, Edwin A., “John” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, USA: SP Publications, 1983.
Kent Jr., Homer A., Light in the Darkness, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1974. Reprint 1986.
Plummer, A., The Gospel According to St. John, Cambridge: University Press, 1923.
Footnotes
- https://youtube.com/shorts/q8LuPlS2Z78?si=BrDIC8Ft49c_dXKH as viewed on 8/15/2026. ↩︎
- “Subjunctive forms based off aorist tense stems are often referred to as Aorist Subjunctives but are more properly Perfective Subjunctives because they convey Perfective aspect.” https://koine-greek.fandom.com/wiki/Subjunctive_mood ↩︎
- Blum 317. ↩︎