Today’s Reading: John 12:20-26
Hearing God’s Voice for Today:
“Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls in to the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.’”
* * * * *
Some Greeks wanted to meet Jesus. He wanted to meet them as well. His gospel is for everyone in the world—Jew and Gentile alike.
Philip brought the Greeks to Andrew. Andrew took them to Jesus. Andrew had a heart for bringing people to the Lord—for example, he had brought his brother, Peter. Now he was bringing Greeks. Oh, that we would all have Andrew’s heart to introduce people to Jesus!
The Lord taught the Greeks something of extraordinary importance. He told them the hour had come for the Son of Man to be glorified. He knew that within a few days he’d be lifted up on the cross. His hour of humiliation and glory was near.
The term glorified means “weighted.” It speaks of something being heavier or greater than something else—like iron being heavier than water. The glorified Jesus is greater than anything else in the universe. His cross and resurrection prove it.
When Jesus said a grain of wheat cannot bear much fruit until it falls into the ground and dies, he was speaking of his death on the cross. Only through his death could he grant new resurrection life for millions around the world.
He was speaking of your life as well. He was talking about the blessedness of brokenness. Only the poor in spirit understand his kingdom. Only those who weep will be comforted by the Holy Spirit, who indwells the hearts of all those who believe in him.
The only people who receive his resurrection hope are those who are broken. His resurrection life is only for those who have died to self and been crucified with him.
Have you died to self and been crucified with him? Have you experienced the blessedness of brokenness? Have life’s distorted and bankrupt promises finally driven you to him?
If so, you should be glad. The kingdom of heaven can now enter your heart. The Holy Spirit who indwells you can comfort you. You now know that God loves the humble and stands against the proud. Humility precedes honor. The humble will see God work in powerful ways and be glad. They will inherit the earth.
The pain that you went through was the very instrument the Father in heaven used to draw you to him. It was necessary to break you of self-love.
Now Jesus can use you. Now he can bear much fruit through you.
It begins with being broken.
Rejoice in your pain, sorrow, and brokenness.
There’s purpose in it.
[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]