“Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
John 12:25
A seed must be buried and die to give birth to a plant. Only through the death of the seed will there be plant life; it’s a principle of nature.
Jesus lived out this principle that He Himself created in nature. He didn’t come to earth for His benefit, but for ours. Through His death, we gain life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
In the 1400s Thomas à Kempis wrote, “Jesus has many who love His kingdom in heaven, but few who bear His cross. He has many who desire comfort, but few who desire suffering. He finds many to share His feast, but few His fasting. All desire to rejoice with Him, but few are willing to suffer for His sake. Many follow Jesus to the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the cup of His passion. Many admire His miracles, but few follow Him in the humiliation of the cross.”
To follow the way of the cross is to lay down our lives for others. In that loss, we find the greatest gain.
Jesus lived out this principle that He Himself created in nature. He didn’t come to earth for His benefit, but for ours. Through His death, we gain life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
In the 1400s Thomas à Kempis wrote, “Jesus has many who love His kingdom in heaven, but few who bear His cross. He has many who desire comfort, but few who desire suffering. He finds many to share His feast, but few His fasting. All desire to rejoice with Him, but few are willing to suffer for His sake. Many follow Jesus to the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the cup of His passion. Many admire His miracles, but few follow Him in the humiliation of the cross.”
To follow the way of the cross is to lay down our lives for others. In that loss, we find the greatest gain.
Scripture Focus
John 12:20-26
Insight
What would it mean for you to die to yourself? Who could gain life by your doing so?
Bible In A Year
- Joshua 17-18
- Psalm 105
- Romans 3-4
