John 12:20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 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. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. 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. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.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?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
Jesus was travelling with the crowds heading toward Jerusalem for the Passover, having "set His face" to go through the Father's plan for Him there. Though He had occasionally and increasingly mentioned His death, burial and resurrection, He also kept saying that "His time had not come." Now His approach changes, with one simple question from these Greeks who were going to worship too. It was as if it was His signal to become more pointed in His statements. He is the light that we need to see. He has the words that we need to hear. He is the One we need to turn to and trust, because the judgment is coming. In one sense, it seems like Jesus totally ignores the request of these Greeks, but actually He is addressing them and the others around, mostly Jews, when He says "whoever... if anyone...", opening the door for any who would see Him for Who He is, would listen and obey, and would trust in Him and be saved. He answers. Will we come and worship Him?
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