Glory Hidden in the Grain
23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
John 12:23-26
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Glory Hidden in the Grain
Jesus speaks of His “hour” as the moment of His glorification, but that glory is not the splendor of earthly triumph. It is the glory of the cross. Like a grain of wheat that must fall into the earth and die to bear fruit, Jesus’ death brings life to the world. The world sees shame and loss; faith sees the hidden majesty of God revealed in self-giving love. Those who follow Christ walk the same path. To “hate” one’s life in this world means to die to the self that seeks its own glory and to trust instead in the crucified and risen Lord. The cross always precedes the crown. Yet in losing ourselves for Christ’s sake, we receive true life, eternal life that no death can destroy. The Father honors all who serve His Son, for in Christ’s death, the seed of our salvation has borne its abundant harvest.
John 12:23-26
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Glory Hidden in the Grain
Jesus speaks of His “hour” as the moment of His glorification, but that glory is not the splendor of earthly triumph. It is the glory of the cross. Like a grain of wheat that must fall into the earth and die to bear fruit, Jesus’ death brings life to the world. The world sees shame and loss; faith sees the hidden majesty of God revealed in self-giving love. Those who follow Christ walk the same path. To “hate” one’s life in this world means to die to the self that seeks its own glory and to trust instead in the crucified and risen Lord. The cross always precedes the crown. Yet in losing ourselves for Christ’s sake, we receive true life, eternal life that no death can destroy. The Father honors all who serve His Son, for in Christ’s death, the seed of our salvation has borne its abundant harvest.
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