Monday, March 26, 2012

John 12: 23:
Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. NRSV

History has shown that in order to achieve significant growth or gains or to make drastic changes for the good of the masses sacrifices have to be made and even lives have to be lost. Jesus’ disciples were not comfortable with Jesus’ talk about dying and leaving them. They could not or refused to see the bigger picture. From a human standpoint, their position is quite understandable. Who wants to lose their friends or family? Particularly if that someone or those persons are the mainstay of the family or people you see as invincible. But in order for progress to be made something must give. In order for humanity to be brought back into a right relationship with God, Christ knew he had to die. The analogy that Jesus used of a grain dying in order to produce life was relevant to the agrarian society in which he lived and they would understand clearly what he was referring to. Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Inactivity doesn’t cut it. Mohandas Gandhi once said we should be the change we want to see in the world.

Great Father, we are thankful that you thought of us, even when we were being wayward and stubborn. We had no inkling of what our future would be, but you thought ahead and you sent Jesus to be the ultimate sacrifice. God we thank you for those among us who were willing to risk all they have, even their lives for the greater good. Stir us into action and remove the spirit of slothfulness and fear so that we too can make a difference. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.