The Daily Devotional Podcast

Risen - 3 | John 12:20–26

• Waypoint Church

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This reflection reveals that in God’s kingdom, true glory is not found in visible success or self-preservation, but through surrender that leads to life and multiplication. It invites us to trust that what feels like loss in following Jesus is actually the pathway to deeper fruit and lasting life.

The Daily Devotional Podcast

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“May the Lord bless you and keep you — and may His presence guide you this week.”


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Today's passage is John twelve, verses twenty through twenty six. Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration paid a visit to Philip, who was from Betheda in Galilee. They said, Sir, we want to meet Jesus. Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus. Jesus replied, Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But his death will produce many new kernels, a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am, and the Father will honor anyone who serves me. We often define glory as visible success, recognition, influence, a moment where everything comes together and the outcome is undeniable. Glory in our minds looks like arrival. In John twelve, some Greeks approach the disciples with a simple request. Sir, we would like to see Jesus. It seems like this could be a turning point. Interest in Jesus is spreading beyond Israel. The moment feels significant, like something is building toward recognition and expansion. And Jesus responds in a way that reframes everything. The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. At first it can sound like the kind of moment people have been waiting for. Glory has arrived. But then he explains what glory actually means. Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies it produces much fruit. Glory in the kingdom of God does not come through preservation, it comes through surrender. A seed that stays intact will remain what it is. A seed that is buried and broken becomes something more. What looks like loss becomes the beginning of multiplication. Jesus is not speaking in abstract terms, he's describing his own path. The cross is not a detour from glory, it's the way glory will be revealed. And then he gives a call not to reject life but to release control, to loosen our grip on self-preservation as the highest goal. Whoever loves their life will lose it, and whoever hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Following Jesus means trusting that surrender is not the end of the story. It means believing that what we place in his hands is not lost, even when it feels buried. The crowd in Jerusalem was looking for visible victory. Jesus reveals a deeper reality. Life comes through death. Fruit comes through surrender, and glory comes through the cross. Before I close in prayer, here's a question to wrestle with. Teach me to trust that your way leads to life, even when it looks like loss. Help me place what I'm holding into your hands.