John 12:20-23
Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. 27 “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name !”Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
Art Barrett
New Life Christian Fellowship – Concord
Observation: I see that the coming of the Greeks sparked a graphic reminder of the purpose and the nearness of the pain of the cross. I see You Jesus, reflect and “troubled.” I see You instinctively and at least momentarily shrinking back from the prospect of dying. I see you emerge from reflection with a plan. It is plan of surrendered courage and trust, the truest meaning of faith, as You commit to cooperating with the glorious purpose of Your Father. Perhaps my favorite part is when I see the voice of the Father affirming Your plan of faith.
Action: Father, I know today something will spark a note of anxiety as an invitation or challenge that is to come, causing me to instinctively draw away from laying down my life in cooperation with what You want to do. This day, I commit to trusting that You love me and Your plan will lead to greater life even though I must give myself to a cross. I will collaborate with You today – be it something big or small – and I will listen for Your voice of affirmation to build my faith after I take the step of obedience.
Observation: “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” I see myself holding onto my life. I think unintentionally most of the time. I hear God laying out clearly what a surrendered life looks like. I WANT to be a mass producer of seeds for God and yet I see that I must “fall to the ground and die” over and over again.
Action: Today I am walking intentionally with Jesus with my eyes and ears in tune with what He is doing. I will listen and put His will above my own.
I am so blessed to be a child of God He is with me always and I have learned to trust Him in all things His plan is better then mine could ever be
He strengthen me to obey Him and that gives me the freedom and joy down deep in me
Thank you Lord
Father I hear the faith Jesus had for you, how He knew His identity and knew it was time to stand in that faith & walk confidently into the next chapter; ‘setting a ‘pace’ toward ‘His’ purpose. This wasn’t about Him anymore Hewas here to save us & knew it ..I Imagine this not easy , everything around you happening, knowing He wasn’t going to back down & when others doubted it would have been easy to simply buy in & decide maybe the ‘People’ were right but this is not the choice made. I See Jesus taking in a deep breathe ,as to exhale “Ok Father, let’s do this!”
In the face of change I can’t get off track ,or influenced by others expectations. My calm, patient thought is where I can hear God.
Been through a lot, it’s showing in my exhaustion. This week I am going to find a new pace; get realigned with my purpose& As things happen (as they most always do) that add stress & modify my attitude I will stop , breathe an listen for God to direct me.
FATHER ,
keep me focused, confident in You. Show me the steps an I’ll take them. Let me walk like You an seek the purpose I know is mine an waiting for me. Tell me where to go, funnel doubt out of my mind and, leave me standing full of you & full of mindfulness for Your plan . Guard my mouth & attitude from anything not of you an keep my heart free of negativity that can detour me from your will.
Amen