“Seeds of Grace” Die to Live

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Primary school.  Glass jar. Wet paper towel.  Bean seed.   Put the seed between the paper and the side of the jar. Keep damp and put jar in the window.  Watch the seed disintegrate as it germinates. A root will sprout and, at the same time, it will send forth a wee green stem as it reaches up to the light. A miracle!   I have no idea what we did with the bean plants(that was before sprouts were considered people food !).  The object lesson was, of course, to show us how things grow. 

“Very 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.” John 12:24(12:20-33)

This verse is not simply a call to personal musing, although it may speak to you about what needs to ‘die’ in your life, what you may need to leave behind, to allow for growth and health, in body, mind and spirit.  The context is Jerusalem, after the ‘triumphal entry’ we call the palm parade.  The “hour has come” and Jesus is telling his disciples about what is about to happen.  My path to glory, to fulfill God’s plan, is through suffering and death, he says.  

The question ‘why?’ echoes through the ages, to be wrestled with by all generations.  Wasn’t there some other way? What if Jesus hadn’t been crucified, had lived to a ripe old age, engaged in ministry, teaching about God’s love?  Would the world be different?    

Why is the way of the Cross the way of Life? What does this mean to me?

For Further Reflection:

Lord I lift your name on high
Lord I love to sing your praises
I’m so glad you are in my life
I’m so glad you came to save us…

You came from heaven to earth, to show the way
From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay
From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky
Lord I lift your name on high

Lord I Lift Your Name on High
by Rick Founds