HE COURAGE OF JESUS
JOHN 12:24-28 NKJV
JOHN 12:24-28 NKJV
24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
27 "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name."
Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again."
One of the biggest benefits of reading through the New Testament every year is the clearer our picture becomes of Jesus.
Every year when I read through the Bible 365 plan, I see Jesus in a greater way.
In our reading for today, we can get a glimpse of the courage Jesus had. When He was facing the cross, He did not shrink back.
In verses 24 and 25, Jesus talked about how we can be more productive for the Kingdom of God. A grain of wheat has to die to produce more grain. Jesus had to die to produce for God's Kingdom.
And then Jesus talks about how we are not to attempt to hold on and protect our lives. In a sense, we have to "die" to some of our desires to experience God's best for us. When Jesus talked about 'hating' our lives, He was not referring to having low self-esteem. Rather it is a willingness to pursue God's will for our lives above our own plans.
But Jesus said if we follow Him in this, choosing to put Him first, God will honor us.
Jesus knew what He was facing, and it troubled His soul. But, instead of asking for God to get Him out, He declared that this was the very purpose He was sent.
Father, glorify Your name, was Jesus' answer to the pain and spiritual trauma He would face on the cross. That is courage.
APPLICATION:
It takes a level of courage to live for Jesus. Whoever said Christianity is a weak man's game never lived this life.
After failing at my first attempt at a church plant, I wanted nothing to do with planting another church. I had to 'die' to my desire for an easier path to ministry. But in 'dying' to my desires, I discovered God's plan, and it was vastly better than what had I imagined.
Some 'old-time believers' of the past would talk about taking up the cross and following the Lord. That has not gone away. That kind of living takes courage. But the best example of this kind of courage is our Lord and Savior.
Prayer:
Lord help me become that grain of wheat that dies to produce more grain. May I learn to live in order to serve You and fulfill my purpose on the earth.