Fall and Die

Daily Reading: John 12

Scripture Focus: Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12.24)

Devotional Thought: A friend of mine recently sent me a time-elapsed video of a bean seed sprouting and growing. Twenty-nine days of growth were condensed to about 3 minutes. It was fascinating to watch. I noticed that in order for new life to come forth from that seed, however, the first thing it had to do was crack open and essentially die. All the growth that came after, was preceded by this 'death.' No death = no growth.

The Savior had to fall to the earth and die as well. In order for new life to come to you and me, God ordained that his Son would suffer our death. It is only as Jesus dies that we can live. But, his death was not the end, it was the occasion for a resurrection! Now, because Jesus died and rose again, he is not alone. He has borne the fruit of our salvation.

In the same way, a soul must die to himself/herself in this life. If we are to bear fruit, we must be broken open on our own cross of consecration. As long as we remain unbroken, we will be unable to bear fruit. We will be alone. Other souls will be lost.

But, there is more fruit to be borne by the soul that dies. Jesus said in v. 25: "Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." Because we have been united to Jesus in his death, we will also be united to him in his resurrection (Romans 6.5). What comfort for those whose loved ones have passed through the veil of death into the next life!

How about you, dear friend? Have you fallen to the earth and died?

Prayer: Jesus, you are the firstborn from the dead. But, in order to be resurrected, you had to die. Help me to die to myself and live for you and so be united with you forever. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 36.1-6

1 Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. 2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated. 3 The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good. 4 He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil.

5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. 6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord.