John 12 is the closing chapter of the Gospel's Book of Signs. Whle it ties up some of elements from chapters 1-11, it also introduces the Book of Glory, the moment when the Son of Man is raised up in His Death and His Ascension to the Father. An important moment in the life of Jesus and His disciples is the coming of Jesus' Hour.
The "hour" of Jesus is not a period of sixty-minutes. Like the "yom" Mwy of Genesis chapter 1, Jesus' hour is the moment in salvation history where he fulfills the will of God. "Isn't it that I've come for this hour? (12:27). This hour will begin from the moment Satan enters into Judas' heart and ends when Jesus, handing on the cross, says "It is finished."
The present discourse (12:20-36) is occassioned by the coming of the Greeks who wish to meet with Jesus. Jesus had just made his triumphant entrance into Jerusalem amid the waving of palms and cries of Hosanna ("Save us! Liberate us!", 12:12-19). With the coming of the Greeks, Jesus realizes that his work with the Jews is finished. The time has come to be raised up and draw all men to himself (12:32, cf. 3:14). With the coming of the hour, the time for judgment also has come (12:32, cf. 3:19-21)
Points for Discussion
1. Reread verses 24-26 [John 12:24-26]. Jesus is here repeating what the Synoptic evangelists have presented as the "Requirements of Discipleship":
"Whoever loves his life will lose it; whoever loves his life for my sake will save it;"
"Whoever wishes to be my disciple, let him carry his cross and follow me..."
In John, he who serves the Lord (the verb used here is diakonein (diakonein), the verb for "ministry") is he who remains with the Lord wherever He may be: whether in glory or in suffering. How does this passage shed a light on the sufferings that you undergo as a Christian?
2. Reread vv. 35-36 [John 12:35-36]. The "little while" Jesus mentions here can mean...
(a) within the framework of vv. 12:20-36, the time between the end of the discourse and the time Jesus he "hides" himself in v. 36
(b) the same as the "little while" [John 16:16-24] he mentions at the Last Supper, i.e. the time between the glorification and His coming in glory.
The "little while" is the moment where each man decides for himself whether he is for or against Jesus. Where does this put you in relation to the Light that is the Word of God? (cf. John 3:19-21)
3. Reread verses 28-30 [John 12:28-30]. The phrase "Glorify Your Name" also means "Let your will be done." The prayer of Jesus for the glorification of the Father's Name will be amplified in John 17, his "Priestly Prayer." The Catechism calls it "The Prayer of Jesus' Hour" (CCC, nn. 2746-2751.2758). To be caught up in Jesus means to live in such a way that God's name is glorified. What does that mean for you?
