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. John 12:24 NABRE
Jesus is greeted by certain Gentiles who appear to be at the Passover Festival, meaning they may be interested in converting to Judaism. Hearing of their presence Jesus proclaims that His hour has come, the Son of Man is to be glorified. Their arrival seems to indicate some prophecy is fulfilled, in particular that Jesus came for a universal mission, He will gather all people, Jews and Gentiles, to the one true God. Then Jesus says, “… 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.” Jesus is that grain of wheat and he is moving closer to the cross and His own death. His death produces much, but in particular His death and resurrection make eternal life in communion with God available to all. Jesus’ movement from death to resurrection is the basic pattern for the Christian life. Jesus gives His life for others and we are to participate in the same pattern of loving self-giving and selflessness. Our death isn’t necessarily dying on the cross, but our selfishness, our attachment to things of this world, our sin and all things that lead us away from God, must die. We must become like Jesus in our attitude of giving all we have in this world to help others cross over and become universal members of the Kingdom of God.
The life of Jesus is a life of service, His death is in the service to others. All things in this world die, but in the Kingdom of God all things live in harmony and love. We may struggle with the concept of dying to ourselves so others may live, but it is in dying for others that we truly live, now and eternally.
Do you serve others? Are you willing to die that others may live?
The life of Jesus is a life of service, His death is in the service to others. All things in this world die, but in the Kingdom of God all things live in harmony and love. Click To Tweet#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #seed #die #John #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways