A Seed that Dies

John 12-14

“Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast…they said, ‘we would like to see Jesus.’…’I tell you the truth, 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.’”

John 12:20, 21, 24

At the height of his popularity, when a parade was organized in his honor during one of the great feasts of Judaism, curious Greeks asked for a personal audience with Jesus. Jesus, knowing his destiny and the upside-down nature of his kingdom, chose that moment to teach about the principle of life coming forth from death. The call to die-to-self and the self-life is at the heart of discipleship and a fruitful life in Christ. If we receive the original creation-mandate to be ‘fruitful and multiply,’ we must also receive the call to die. Paul said that the life of Christ is expressed in and through us as we die daily. When our influence grows, exactly then are we called to surrender and die that Christ may be revealed in us.

“Lord Jesus, may you increase and I decrease, for your glory.”