Good Morning Biblejournal family! Happy Tuesday.
Today’s Reading focuses on the words of Jesus in John 12.
As I tried to narrow a focus on John 12 to look at today it was very hard. At first, we read about true devotion shown by Martha toward Jesus and His affirmation for her actions. True Devotion! Then reading about seeing Lazarus raised from the dead, “Wow!” in addition to our King riding into Jerusalem with everyone shouting “Hosanna!” Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” How awesome! So here we go, Planted for Harvest.
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.
The words spoken by Jesus in verses 24-26 are three powerful verses and reminders for us. Last week I asked the question, What are you discussing? In all transparency these last two weeks have not all been conversations I planned to focus on or around. In sad actuality, I’m sure many of these focused on me and my personal desires. Today, we read about a reminder of our self-centeredness. That our need to fill our personal desires can keep us from just letting go and trusting in God’s plan for us.
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
Reflecting on this single seed dying, makes me wonder what does my dying to this earth look like? How can I do this better than what I do now? All these earthly rewards can often be for this single seed (myself). That as we (I) give more of our lives, thoughts, and conversations to Him; wheat will be produced, fruit will be produced.
How do we produce this? Look at verses 25-26. Where is our life in the essence of this world? Does it revolve around the worldly things that can keep us occupied from sun up to sun down? Is it about status or achievements? What does our life like? What a perfect time a year to die to ourselves, I couldn’t think of a better week to put our focus on others.
25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Am I willing to let go of the materialistic world that gives short term satisfaction and false happiness in exchange for a joy-filled eternal life?
What would it look like to submit to Jesus? To submit our lives to His words and lower ourselves trusting that we don’t know what is best for our lives, He does. How can I have a life marked by God and not by the current life where I run around trying to prove myself to others?
26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
Will you serve today? Will you follow?
Dear Lord,
I pray you help us to always turn our eyes to you. That as this world fills us with superficial and short-term promises you have an eternal promise that is greater than anything else. Help me to die to my earthly desires and live a life that dies to myself and turns to you. We love you, and thank you for sending your son to die for us, so that we can have eternal life. Amen
Have a great Thanksgiving. Enjoy the Harvest.