Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. John 12:25 NABRE
Jesus is teaching about the movement from death to the resurrected life. He has taught that a grain of wheat must die if it wishes to produce fruit. A seed can grow into a plant only after being buried in the ground. Jesus makes use of the seed to talk about His death and its benefits. This movement from death to life is the basic pattern for the Christian life. In the quoted verse we read Jesus saying, whoever loves his life losses it; Jesus is not talking about the soul, but the natural life. The body and soul life would not have been understood at that time as we understand it today, our dualistic natural body and soul. Jesus gives His life for others’ good on the cross, and His disciples participate in the saving dynamic by replicating the pattern of loving self-sacrifice. Jesus continues; whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Jesus is not telling us to be destructive in our worldly life, but that we should be against sin and wrong doing. The term “world” means human beings and their world as they are in rebellion against God and under the spiritual power of sin. We are not being told to hate our earthly life but to hate the things that lead us away from God. We should detach ourselves from loving “things” and embrace an attitude of loving “others,” and putting the message of Jesus into place. The full message of Jesus, feed the hungry, heal the ill, visit the prisoner, and more are actions that demonstrate love is at the heart of a Christian.
If you serve others, look out for your neighbor, those with the most need, you are demonstrating you hate the things of this world and want to lead the way to eternal life. Be a leader!
What do you love? What do you hate?
If you serve others, look out for your neighbor, those with the most need, you are demonstrating you hate the things of this world and want to lead the way to eternal life. Be a leader! Share on X#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #disciple #love #John #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #Matthew #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways