Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very
truly I tell you, 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.” (John 12: 23-24)
Death and Glory
If you look at the narrative in John’s Gospel, these words follow Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, the acclamation of the crowds, and inquiries from Greek seekers. As we know, the political situation is also brewing. Jesus chooses to accept the course that leads to his death. Moreover, he predicts resultant glory, which seems unlikely at the outset, given the charges.
Jesus uses this teaching moment and gives us a metaphor of the kernel of grain, which must die in order to yield seeds and produce new plants. And, indeed, the metaphor illustrated Jesus subsequent death, resurrection and the spread of the Gospel by the dispersion of his followers.
How do we explicate this metaphor for ourselves? I benefit from this lesson in this way. Each of us is born as individuals into our moment in history. We can choose to further that individualistic trend, guarding our rights out of fear, separating ourselves from other creation, engaging in right-wrong “dualistic” thinking, etc. OR we can realize those moments that come to us, moments to challenge ourselves to reach down within ourselves, and choose the “higher way” of creative problem solving, understanding, respect and dignity for all creation.
Flowers will come. Grain will grow.
My God, I welcome your Spirit. May I discern my teaching moments and choose the better way. Thank you for your continuing presence with me. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Death and Glory
If you look at the narrative in John’s Gospel, these words follow Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, the acclamation of the crowds, and inquiries from Greek seekers. As we know, the political situation is also brewing. Jesus chooses to accept the course that leads to his death. Moreover, he predicts resultant glory, which seems unlikely at the outset, given the charges.
Jesus uses this teaching moment and gives us a metaphor of the kernel of grain, which must die in order to yield seeds and produce new plants. And, indeed, the metaphor illustrated Jesus subsequent death, resurrection and the spread of the Gospel by the dispersion of his followers.
How do we explicate this metaphor for ourselves? I benefit from this lesson in this way. Each of us is born as individuals into our moment in history. We can choose to further that individualistic trend, guarding our rights out of fear, separating ourselves from other creation, engaging in right-wrong “dualistic” thinking, etc. OR we can realize those moments that come to us, moments to challenge ourselves to reach down within ourselves, and choose the “higher way” of creative problem solving, understanding, respect and dignity for all creation.
Flowers will come. Grain will grow.
My God, I welcome your Spirit. May I discern my teaching moments and choose the better way. Thank you for your continuing presence with me. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Jane Welch
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