Dying to live

Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has now come for the Son of Man to receive great glory. I am telling you the truth: a grain of wheat remains no more than a single grain unless it is dropped into the ground and dies. If it does die, then it produces many grains. Those who love their own life will lose it; those who hate their own life in this world will keep it for life eternal.’ (verses 23-25)

Read John 12:20-33

I had a large box in which I put other little boxes containing a variety of seeds. Gradually the large box collected all sorts of seeds that had managed to escape from the smaller boxes, so one day I had a clean-up and threw them out. Later I was amazed to see that where I had thrown those (useless) seeds they had sprouted and grown. ‘Dead’ seeds had produced abundant life; all they needed was soil, moisture and sun.

We can either be like dead seeds sitting in an old box or we can die to our sins (repent of them) and allow God to plant us in his mission field, nourish us with his word and warm us with his love.

What wonderful, flourishing plants we can become in God’s garden, blossoming with love and the joy of serving others-and bearing much fruit for him.

Thank you, dear heavenly Father, that you give me new life daily when I come to you in repentance. Help me to grow and bear fruit in your kingdom. Amen.

by Grace Bock, in ‘Guidance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2002)

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