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A journey through Lent - 2016
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Day Thirty Four - The Prediction.
The Gospel of John concentrates significantly upon the last few days of Jesus' life.
In our passage today Jesus speaks of the death he will die. He also speaks of the glory which will result from his death.
We perhaps begin to see a change in Jesus as he starts to draw closer to the pain he is going to suffer. We certainly see Jesus completely giving himself to God, even in the knowledge of the pain he will suffer as a result.
In this passage we also see a great teaching illustration, given for the benefit of the disciples but oh so relevant to us as well.
That of the seed.
A living thing but one which needs to be placed into the ground and give up itself to be transformed into a new plant which will produce many seeds. Jesus compares this process to death and the new life which comes from it.
I am sure the death of Jesus was looked upon as a disaster by his followers but through his death he is able to raise us to fruitful life.
Although we may not suffer physically or actually die we are called upon, perhaps even more like a seed, to be transformed, to re-arrange our lives in a way that we turn away from the things which please us in this life to the things which will build the kingdom.
Like the seed we are called to expend our energy on transforming the world and building up others, with a Christ like love, so that they too might be transformed by the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Bible Passage: - John 12:20-33 (NIV)
Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. 'Sir,' they said, 'we would like to see Jesus.' Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
Jesus replied, 'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.
'Now my soul 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. Father, glorify your name!'
Then a voice came from heaven, 'I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.' The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
Jesus said, 'This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.' He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
Contemplation Saying.
"But if it dies, it produces many seeds."
Contemplative Prayer.
Think of the saying in order to understand context and meaning,
Feel the meaning of the saying with and in your heart,
Pray, using the saying, for yourself or others. With only a name and without explaining the reasons or pre-defining any answers.
Listen for God's voice in the quiet of your prayers.
Pray using your own prayers or one of those which have been prepared below.
Hymn: Singing the Faith - "Now the Green Blade Rises"
Let us pray together.
Twitter Prayer
Lord, I am weak but you are strong. Transform me with your resurrection power. Amen
Facebook Prayer
Lord, If I suffer pain, help me bear it
If I suffer sorrow, help me cope with it
If I weep, hold me close
Keep me from anger and frustration
Keep me from blaming you
If I wander from your path draw me back to your side
Rest your healing hand upon my life and make me whole.
Amen.
Full Prayer
Risen glorified Lord, you love us so much that you died to save us.
Lord, we celebrate an empty cross and tomb but we do not forget your pain and suffering, for us, before that first glorious Easter morning.
In that knowlege may we ever give you praise and strive to live lives full of boldness.
Help us abandon ourselves, to be transformed by your loving will.
Teach us to follow your great commandments to love you and to love others as ourselves.
In our own strength we can only try and fail, in your strength we are assured of victory.
Help us, when things grow dark in our lives, not to lose sight of you.
Help us see that our experiences of life, good or bad, shape us and can also be used for good or ill.
Lord, we pray that we do not have to suffer. We also pray that you will help us to use any pain and suffering we experience to positive ends.
Help us in our joys or sorrows not to turn away from your path.
We pray in the power of your name. Amen.
Lord, I am weak but you are strong.
Transform me with your resurrection power.
Keep me from temptation and sin
If I suffer pain, help me bear it
If I suffer sorrow, help me cope with it
If I weep, hold me close
Keep me from anger and frustration
Keep me from blaming you
If I wander from your path draw me back to your side
Rest your healing hand upon my life and make me whole.
Amen.