Death for Life!
Opening Prayer
Jesus, open my heart to Your work within me. Make me willing to be molded by You.
Read John 12:20–26
20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 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.
23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psa. 119:105).Having a Greek name, Philip may well have spoken Greek, explaining why he was the go-to guy for the Greek pilgrims seeking access to Jesus (20). For some reason, Philip feels the need to talk to Andrew (who was from the same home town) before they approach Jesus together.
The Greeks may well have heard about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (18,19). At first glance, Jesus’ response seems at odds with the request for an audience with him. But these wonderful statements from Jesus that John records for us can unlock the secret to a satisfied and fruitful life. The world’s view is so often “me first” through accumulation, making ourselves comfortable, and getting others to serve us—and if we’re honest, we all too commonly hold this view ourselves. But this does not lead to the kind of life that God honors (26), nor is it a life lived with eternity in view (25). Jesus is the grain of wheat that died and produced many seeds (24). And if we are to serve him, we must follow him (26), dying to self (24), with our hearts set on being with him for eternity (26)! Then we too will produce much fruit for his glory.
Apply
Is your heart set on “having” in this life, or on Jesus? On fruit for his kingdom? On eternity with him?
Closing prayer
Reflect on the kernel of wheat. Have you allowed yourself to die with Christ so that you can be raised with him (Rom. 6:8)?
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