“Jesus replied, ‘The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the solemn truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it produces much grain. The one who loves his life destroys it, and the one who hates his life in this world guards it for eternal life.’” —John 12:23–25
Jesus presents to us a precious truth: In the spiritual realm, glorification follows death; the crown follows the cross. In Christ, death is the means of entry into glory. Jesus fleshed this truth out and as His followers, we are directed to do the same.
What is actually meant by these confusing statements? Seriously, are we to die to be glorified? Are we to be looking for a tree for our crucifixion? Figuratively, the answer is yes. Remember, Christ went to the cross before going to the throne.
Paul clearly spells out the order and humility of Christ’s life and beckons us to the same high calling:
“You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross! As a result God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” —Philippians 2:5–11
In the incarnation, Christ willingly surrendered His right to manifest himself visibly as the God of all splendor and glory. This set an example of humility before honor. However, we tend to fight humility with everything that we have! There is something about humility and meekness that we perceive as weakness. Nothing could be further from the truth. Christ-like humility and meekness exemplify great strength and power under control—a willing relinquishing of rights for a higher purpose.
Jesus repeatedly told His disciples:
“If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it. For what does it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but loses or forfeits himself?” —Luke 9:23–25
“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and because of the gospel will save it.” —Mark 8:35
When we selflessly and lovingly obey our Lord Jesus, the overflow of the Holy Spirit will flow through our lives into the lives of others around us—oftentimes without our awareness—because behind our obedience is the reality of Almighty God. This is the whole point in denying self—our actions point to the power of Jesus. The daily crosses we are called to bear should be considered for the harvest they will bring. Our Lord considered the joy His actions would produce—bringing many to glory:
“But we see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by God’s grace he would experience death on behalf of everyone. For it was fitting for him, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For indeed he who makes holy and those being made holy all have the same origin, and so he is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.” —Hebrews 2:9–11
This whole order of things was just as shocking to His disciples as it is to His followers today. They were expecting an earthly kingdom established and governed by Jesus. Excited by His triumphal entry into Jerusalem their desire for an earthly kingdom was fanned into a full blaze. Jesus was well aware that they were expecting a glorious kingdom to be immediately established where they would have high places of authority and power.
Become More
We often have trouble realizing that it is not all about us—our ease, our comfort, our wants, our pleasures. The focus of the believer in Jesus Christ is to be on Him—willingly emptying ourselves of selfish ambitions and empty conceits, crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires—in order that the fullness of the Holy Spirit may be made manifest in us.
“Before we can pray ‘Thy kingdom come,’ we must be willing to pray, ‘My kingdom go.’” —Alan Redpath
Further Reflections
“Remember whose you are and Whom you serve.” —Oswald Chambers
“Calvary is God’s great proof that suffering in the will of God always leads to glory.” —Warren Wiersbe