Focusing on the glory

Some Greeks were among those who had gone to Jerusalem to worship during the festival. They went to Philip (he was from Bethsaida in Galilee) and said, ‘Sir, we want to see Jesus’.

Philip went and told Andrew, and the two of them went and told Jesus. 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.’                     (verses 20-24)

Read John 12:20-26

A flower seed is planted and, some time later, a new bloom, bearing many seeds, stands proud and gorgeous. The seed has had to give up its own life in order to produce new life.

Jesus had to give up his life in order to experience resurrection glory and ensure life for his followers. There had to be a Good Friday, a day of death, before there could be an Easter Sunday, a day of life.

The process of dying is something we’d rather not have to go through, but we do have to die one day. Our dying, though, because of Jesus, has now become merely an entry into resurrection glory. From our death will come new life, life that is as real and tangible as the petals of that new bloom in your garden – only more beautiful.

Let’s keep our eyes fixed not on the grave but on the glory beyond it.

Jesus, thankyou that my death will give rise to a superb life with you. Amen.

by Grace Simpson, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1998)

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