John 12:20-23 seems slightly comical. Some Greeks want to see Jesus, and approach Philip, a Galilean. Philip doesn’t simply tell them where Jesus is, but tells Andrew, who goes to tell Jesus that some Greeks want to see Him. In the end, it’s not at all clear if the Greeks ever do get to see Jesus, because He starts immediately talking about the hour of His glory.
It’s not random. First, because the “mediation” of the disciples is appropriate to the “word made flesh” who “tabernacles” among us. That Jesus is the presence of God in the world is indicated by the layers of “priests” that you have to penetrate to see and speak to Him. And this is all the more true, since His hour of glory is coming.
Second, because in His hour of glory, Jesus will be lifted up – like Daniel’s Son of Man (cf. John 3) – and when He is lifted up the Gentiles will come. He knows His hour of glory is coming because Greeks clamor to see Him. When Greeks show up, it’s time to plant Himself in the earth, so that He can spring up, tall as a tree, drawing all men to Himself.
Dear Reader,
Can I be direct with you?
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