“Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over.
In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is, destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.
“If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.”
John 12:24-26 MSG
Jesus shares a practical story, with a deeper meaning, so we can understand more fully how to follow Him. He starts off with a farming example and turns it into life-giving advice!
A grain of wheat is just that…a grain of wheat. It will not become a bushel of wheat unless it is planted deep underground, dead to the world, where it will sprout and reproduce itself many times over.
No one is able to be nourished from one grain of wheat. But a bushel of wheat…that’s another story! There’s plenty for you and your family…plus, others in need in your neighborhood.
But the grain has to be willing to die to itself, underground, so it can sprout and be reproduced many times over. Then it is useful. Then it is fulfilling it’s original potential.
See, the grain of wheat was always meant for more. The potential for it to be reproduced many times over already existed in itself, but it would take dying to self, to reach its full potential.
And Jesus says, it’s the same with us. It’s when we die to ourselves…our wants, our ways, our plans and our interests…then is when we sprout. Instead of being consumed with me-me-me…”the trinity of Me”…it becomes all about Thee-Thee-Thee!
Your ways, Your wants, Your plans, Your interests! The focus is off “me” and on Thee! That’s reckless love! It’s when you give away your life that you truly find it. You’ve gone from a measly piece of grain to a useful, overflowing bushel.
That’s God’s economy! Multiplication through death. It’s then that you experience real life…and forever!
Plus, you will be honored and rewarded by the Heavenly Father as you follow His Son. Where He is, you will be at His side. What He does, you will do. Where He goes, you will go. What He says, you will say.
Remember, you have died to your old ways, old plans and old language. You are sprouting and reproducing…not you…but Him!!!
