If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
John 12:26b

Text: John 12:20-26

In response to a request on behalf of "some Greeks" to meet with Jesus, rather than give them an audience, Jesus tells His disciples that they should wait and watch for a few days. The "seed" (Jesus) must die before fruit (salvation of Jews AND Greeks) can be produced. By laying down His life on the cross, Jesus bore much fruit. True disciples will follow Jesus on the same path, a path to death, a path of "hating their life in this world" (John 12:25). 

Sometimes when we follow Jesus' commands, life will go "poorly" for us in this world. To the world, it will look like we hate our life. Our joyful willingness to suffer will appear strange to unbelievers. Peter warned us this would happen: "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you" (1 Peter 4:12). We should not see persecution as strange and unusual for God's people. Hardships of all kinds will come.

Many evangelical churches of our time refuse to preach against the "acceptable" sins of culture. One prominent evangelical pastor even justifies his approach by saying churches should “take a break” from the "culture wars" when discussing the sinful lifestyle of homosexuality. Famous pastors know they will be ridiculed when taking a stand against certain sins. They will be ostracized from participation in the public square. Skye Jethani observes, "When it comes to social morality, evangelicals have a history of adapting for the sake of relevancy." Relevancy at the expense of truthfulness is not just unbiblical, it is unloving!

Yes, wisdom, compassion, and kindness are important when presenting the gospel. Colossians 4:16 reminds us, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." But we must remember why Jesus went to the cross. God is holy, holy, holy! God’s holiness demands justice because He cannot compromise His perfect righteousness. Because we have sinned against a holy God, we deserve the wrath of God. But God's love provides escape from God's wrath through the blood of Jesus! And a proper understanding of the gospel requires repentance of sin.

Embrace death as the pathway to life. Joyfully sacrifice anything in order to follow Jesus. Remember that the Father will honor you for it (verse 26)!