March 29 -- John 12:20-36
"Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life." –John 12:24-25 (NIV)

Some Greeks who were in Jerusalem for the Passover asked Philip if they could see Jesus. Jesus did not go to them; instead, He predicted His death. It was time for Him to withdraw from the crowds, which He did when He had finished speaking. His death was looming, and His “soul [was] troubled” (v. 27). Yet He knew He had come to die. He was resolved to it and cried out, “Father, glorify Your name!” (v. 28).
Jesus’ exclamation was answered by an affirming voice from heaven, which some heard as thunder and others heard as the voice of an angel (v. 29). It was evident some heard the voice clearly, and Jesus told them that the voice was for their benefit so that their faith would be strengthened.
When Jesus spoke of the kind of death He would die, saying He would be “lifted up,” the crowd did not understand (vv. 32-34). They reminded Jesus that the Messiah was supposed to remain forever. Jesus did not answer them directly. He simply told them to believe in the “light” while they had it with them (v. 36). Yet most of the crowd would not have faith simply because He asked them to. This was why He left them. They would start to turn on Him, and His time, though near, had not yet come.
When Jesus spoke of His death, He used the analogy of a seed falling to the earth and dying. Then, He added, “Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will also be” (vv. 25-26). Like the seed that dies and loses its identity as a seed in order to multiply itself, believers must follow in Jesus’ footsteps, giving up their “life in this world” in order to have “eternal life.” Here, Jesus uses two different Greek words translated as “life.” We lose our worldly self (psyche) with all its drives and selfish motivations, surrendering to Christ’s will so that we gain spiritual life (zoe), both now and in eternity.
Consider: What drives and motivations are part of my “worldly” life/self? Detaching from these things and attaching to God comprise the Christian journey. Dying to self (i.e., losing this worldly life) is a process that begins when we accept Christ. Then, the Holy Spirit goes to work in us and begins sanctifying us. This process isn’t completed until we die. We become more and more alive and free in this life until we pass into the eternal life with Jesus after death.
Ask God to reveal the ways you need to die to this worldly life. Ask Him to help you follow in Jesus’ footsteps, giving up your will for His, knowing this is where true joy and real life is found.
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