“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. John 12:27-30

Often people will say things like, 'if God wanted me to know, He would tell me.' Which is interesting because often when God speaks audibly in the Bible people don't really understand what God is saying, or they don’t always listen. Often like the verses above people are confused about what exactly had just happened. Jesus confirms the narrative by saying it is indeed God's voice, and God spoke for the benefit of the people who were there. There are 3 times God speaks in the New Testament in an ‘audible’ voice and each one marks a pivotal point for Jesus’ ministry. Which is interesting because some people claim to hear God speak audibly very frequently and I'm not so sure that this is accurate.

Firstly, God audibly speaks to start the ministry of Jesus. Secondly, He speaks audibly on the mount of transfiguration, it marks the completion of this Galilee ministry, after the transfiguration Jesus would go onto Jerusalem. We know that the Bible is not just a story, so each of these are very significant. These are arguably 3 of the most important parts of Jesus ministry.

In verse 20 we are told, ‘Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival.’

Why are we told this? Why is it significant that we are told that the Greeks are there? Let's go on, ‘They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.’ (:21-22)

So, Philip was asked a question, Philip passed it onto Andrew and finally Philip also told Jesus. This seems like superfluous information, why are we told of this progression of events? John doesn't normally indulge in detail without them it very significant within the narrative. Everything John writes has a spiritual significance in keeping with his midrash like writing style.

In verse 23 we read, ‘Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”’

Here is the context, this is the hour that God will glorify Jesus. Now as you may know the term 'Greeks' doesn't merely refer to someone who was from Greece. It was those who were Hellenistic and Greek speaking. Up to this point in the narrative Jesus generally avoided the 'Greeks', on one occasion Jesus said that He 'was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel'.

Take this example:

“You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.” The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? John 7:34-35

The Jews assumed that Jesus must be going among the Greeks because the Jews and Greeks did not mix. We see this conflict exemplified in the book of acts. When the Greeks were included in the church a conflict arose Between these two groups (Acts 6:1). By way of generalisation, these two groups represent different approaches and different mindsets. ‘Hebrews’ look for signs, they want miracles as proof of God's approval on something. On the other hand, ‘Greeks’ look for wisdom, they will accept something if it is logical and well-reasoned. (1 Corinthians 1:22)

Do we want church growth? Because often, if not always, in the Bible church growth results in conflict within the church. In John 12 the Greeks came to Philip, a man with a Greek name. They wanted to be included and hear from Jesus. So, they went to the person who they thought was most likely to be sympathetic to their cause. A Jew would probably outright reject a Greek. Philip doesn't know how to react to this, which is why we are told he asks Andrew first. Philip may be remembering the occasion where a Greek woman came to ask Jesus for help with her demon possessed daughter (Mark 7). Jesus initially ignored her! We see this same response when Jesus is asked to help a centurion, a gentile. The Jews try to persuade Jesus because they argue, he has done good for them by building their synagogue (Luke 7).

It is in this environment of division and separation, God speaks audibly. It is a sign to prove that God will accept the gentiles, the Greeks. It is the turning point in Jesus’ ministry and proof that he will accept the gentiles too.

In John 12:36 we are told that from this point on Jesus ‘left and hid himself’. These Jews who had received from Jesus for 3 years would not get another chance to hear from Him. There may come a point where God will hide himself from people who will not listen to Him. Their next encounter with Jesus would be the week of His crucifixion. Once again God speaking audibly was a massive turning point in the ministry of Jesus.

So, what are we going to do? Often the problem isn't 'is God speaking' it's 'are we listening'? Are we going to listen to God or are we just going to hear thunder? Is it God's instruction or is it just noise? When God speaks what are we going to do, are we going to hear and obey?

• Adapted from Pastor Dave’s Sermon on 06/11/24