Gospel John 12:20-36
20Now among those who went up to worship at the
festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from
Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." 22Philip
went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23Jesus
answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very
truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it
remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Those
who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will
keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and
where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will
honor.
27"Now my soul is troubled. And what should I
say — 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have
come to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name." Then a voice
came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again."
29The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder.
Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." 30Jesus
answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31Now
is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32And
I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." 33He
said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. 34The crowd
answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever.
How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of
Man?" 35Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a
little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not
overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going.
36While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may
become children of light." After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid
from them.
Thought:
There are two very powerful thoughts here – one about a gain
and one about light. First the grain:
which must fall to the earth to bear fruit.
Seed packets hold lots of potential but it isn’t until the seeds are
actually planted that the wonder is revealed.
Jesus can walk this earth and gather his disciples in but it is not
until his death and thus his resurrection that the true meaning of Jesus’ life
is understood. It is not until then that
we truly understand the wonder of Christ.
Second the light: which we are reminded to live and to walk in. Fumbling in the dark can lead us to trip fall
and hurt ourselves. Standing in the
light we always have safe footing.
Following Jesus brings light into our world – brings hope and love, even
in the darkest places. Together we are
reminded that death was not the end of Jesus story – the darkness of his death
or his tomb could not hold the light of Jesus – Easter morning continues the
story! Let us rejoice in the light of
love and hope.
Exercise:
Add a light to your life – lite a
non-flame candle or turn on an extra light or even better stand in the rays of
the sunlight for a few minutes. Be
reminded by how the light feels in your life.
Notice today when the darkness comes in, be it literal or not. Awaken yourself to the light of Christ that
brings with it the knowledge and wonder of the fruit that Jesus’ bears and of
which brings us hope in the Kingdom.
Prayer:
Creator God, descend into our lives
today helping to lighten our world and brining saving grace. We thank you for brightening up our darkest
moments. Help us to bear your fruit in
the world proclaiming your Word and showing your love. Amen.
