Jesus’ death is not only a sin-bearing death, but also a life-giving death. And not simply because it secures life that goes on eternally, but life filled with the beauty of righteousness and love to the extent that the world will sit up and take notice (13:35). Because if you kill and bury the one in whom life is native (1:4, 5:21, 6:68, 10:17, 20:31), then the one who is life itself will burst through the grave in fruitful growth, gathering up all who belong to him and bearing fruit through them! 

At the turning point in John’s Gospel, Jesus makes a seemingly obscure reference to his death. As we get ready to celebrate Easter, let’s take a moment now to explore a powerful yet often overlooked verse to see in a fresh way what Jesus endured and the life he has won for us.

The moment comes in John 12, when some Greeks visit Jesus shortly after his triumphal entry to Jerusalem. Jesus has previously said that his hour has not yet come, but this moment signals that the time has now come for Jesus to achieve his purpose and display his glory: “the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (John 12:23, 17:1; cf. 2:4, 7:30, 8:20). 

But Jesus goes on to explain this glorification in cryptic terms: “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24). 

The reader knows that he is speaking about his God-forsaken death on the cross and what it will achieve. He is like a seed that is buried—effectively dead—before it brings new life. His disciples, however, haven’t a clue what he is talking about.

It’s a brief and seemingly confusing reference to his death. Jesus quickly turns to discipleship in terms of losing one’s life (12:25-26) and at first glance John does not seem to develop the idea.

But as we read on in John’s Gospel, we get an abundant picture of the fruit achieved by this buried seed. Jesus speaks of himself as a vine and his disciples as branches (15:1-8). As they abide in him, they will bear fruit—not simply life, but eternal life which is full of God-glorifying righteousness and love (15:4-5, 7-9, cf. Gal 5:16-25). 

Moreover, John subtly indicates that Jesus achieves this fruitful agenda at the cross. This is the moment the seed dies and is buried, for “in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid” (19:41). 

It’s worth pausing here for a moment, to reflect on the truth that the seed that will bear fruit has been planted. Jesus died an excruciating and shameful death.

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