Gospel lesson for the week

John 12:20-33 

Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time to celebrate the Passover festival. Here Jesus' words about seeds planted in the ground turn the disaster of his death into the promise of a harvest in which everyone will be gathered.

²⁰Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks.²¹They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."²²Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.²³Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.²⁴Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.²⁵Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.²⁶Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. ²⁷Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say — 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.²⁸Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again."²⁹The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him."³⁰Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine.³¹Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.³²And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."³³He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.

Gospel Reflection Questions 
 to share and discuss

1. Jesus says, “whoever serves me must follow me.”  Think of ways we can follow and serve Jesus today.
   
   
2. We are now about half way through the Lenten season – How are you preparing for Easter?
   
   
3. The text tells us that “some Greeks” asked to see Jesus.  How can we see Jesus in our daily lives today?
   
   

Prayer

Dear God, help me share the glory of your salvation in Jesus Christ with others and help others to hear your voice and respond in faith.  Help us all to follow you every day of our lives.  In Christ’s name we pray.  Amen

This is Mt. Olive’s weekly online Bible Study for youth, adults and families. Each week we will reflect on the coming weekend’s Gospel text covered at our upcoming worship services. This is your opportunity to read the text, reflect on the questions, share and discuss with friends and family, and share a prayer.

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illustration by Julie Lonneman exclusively for Augsburg Fortress.