Scripture
I tell you for certain that a grain of wheat that falls on the ground will never be more than one grain unless it dies. But if it dies it will produce lots of wheat.
Observation
The context of this saying is very much about death not life; suffering not victory.
A seed, to fulfil its destiny has to be buried and it has to “die”- it must be broken open and lose its identity as a seed. It is only then that fruitfulness and multiplication can happen.
We love Easter and fear Good Friday.
We want to pass too quickly through the suffering and the blackness of the cross.
Jesus did not come into the world to give us purpose. He didn't come to make us wealthy or successful or victorious. Jesus came into the world to suffer.
Application
To be fruitful I have to die. To be a success I have to be broken. To gain life I first have to die to myself.
This is the painful truth I keep running away from. It's actually endemic in our culture. Flee death; dull the pain; look successful.
It is in dying that I find Jesus.
It is in dying that I find eternal life.
Prayer
Father help me walk this way of death, through the valley of tears. Forgive me for avoiding the necessity of dying to myself. Forgive me for building a spirituality of success which refuses to embrace my cross. Lord please show me how to die to myself in order to live with you. Amen.
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