Loss And Gain

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

John 12:24-25

Christ understands all things in their broadest context. As He entered His final week of earthly ministry, He articulated the importance of what He was about to do. Our text is a summary statement of the value of Christ’s self-sacrifice and the implications of it for us. Christ was about to die in the same way a grain of wheat dies to produce fruit. Christ’s death would produce an astronomical amount of spiritual fruit, a great multitude that no one can number. In doing so, He would not only accomplish redemption but also set the pattern for all who follow Him. They would behold His example and live in the same self-sacrificial spirit He modeled. In doing so they would voluntarily expend their life in what matters for eternity. They would not expend their energy, time, and effort to love this earthly existence. By contrast, they would live in such a manner as to throw away their life on earth. The net result would be they would gain eternal life, not because of their works, but because their faith in Christ led them to live as He did in total self-sacrifice. Thus, faith in Him leads us to the imitation of Him. This is the life that is fruitful. This is the life that appears to be a loss and yet produces the greatest and most lasting gain, for time and for eternity.

Our Gracious Master and our God,
we rejoice that by Your example,
You show us the way.
We praise You, that by Your Spirit,
You lead us to follow You.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning