John 12:20-36
Now there were some Greeks among those who had come up to worship at the feast. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me. “I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that 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 there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world* will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” He said this indicating the kind of death he would die. So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. Then how can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” Jesus said to them, “The light will be among you only a little while. Walk while you have the light, so that darkness may not overcome you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of the light.”
Grace Prayed For
The grace to walk in the light: Pray for the courage and discernment to walk in the light of Christ, resisting the darkness of the world and reflecting His love and grace to those around you.
Embracing the Paradox of Life and Death
The encounter between Jesus and the inquiring Greeks unveils a profound truth about the Christian journey: true life is found through embracing the paradox of death.
Jesus, anticipating His impending crucifixion, speaks of the necessity of the grain of wheat falling to the ground and dying in order to produce abundant fruit. This metaphor encapsulates the essence of His sacrifice – His willingness to lay down His life so that others might find eternal life.
This passage challenges us to reconsider our understanding of life and death. We often cling to our earthly existence, fearing death and loss. However, Jesus teaches us that true life is not about self-preservation but about self-sacrifice. It’s about surrendering our own desires and ambitions to follow Him, even when it leads to suffering and pain.
The voice from heaven affirming God’s glory reminds us that Jesus’ sacrifice is not in vain. His death and resurrection pave the way for the judgment of this world and the defeat of evil. When we lift our gaze from the temporal to the eternal, we realize that our earthly struggles are but a fleeting moment compared to the everlasting joy that awaits us in God’s presence.
Jesus invites us to walk in the light while we still have it, to believe in Him and become children of the light. In a world shrouded in darkness, we are called to be beacons of hope, reflecting His love and grace to those around us.
Inspirational Takeaways:
- Embrace the Paradox: The path to true life often leads through death. Embrace the challenges and sacrifices that come with following Jesus, knowing that they will ultimately yield a bountiful harvest.
- Surrender to God’s Will: Like Jesus, let us surrender our own desires and ambitions to the will of the Father. Trust that He will guide us and use us for His glory.
- Walk in the Light: In a world filled with darkness, choose to walk in the light of Christ. Let His love shine through you, illuminating the path for others to find Him.
- Fix Your Gaze on Eternity: Don’t be consumed by the worries and anxieties of this world. Keep your focus on the eternal promises of God and the hope of everlasting life.
As we reflect on this passage, may we be inspired to embrace the paradox of life and death, surrender to God’s will, and walk boldly in the light of Christ, knowing that He will draw us ever closer to Himself and ultimately lead us to eternal life.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Embracing His Call to Follow: Jesus’ invitation to serve and follow Him, even unto death, challenges you to examine your own commitment. Reflecting on this call prompts you to surrender your will to His, deepening your trust and reliance on Him.
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post