“Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.” - John 12:24-25 (Msg)
The disciples and the crowds that gathered around Jesus were honestly confused by some of the things He said. Anyone who would hold onto their life would lose it, and those that let it go would forever have it. Not knowing then, what we know now through the written Word of God, it’s understandable that they were confused. It wasn’t until after Jesus rose from the dead that the disciples started to understand what Jesus was talking about. (ref. John 12:16)
Over and over again we see how Jesus spoke of redemption and reversal. A life surrendered to follow Him lives by such hope – that we will gain so much more in trusting Him! But He calls us to live differently. To live with reckless abandon to a life of love. Not as the world has defined love to be. But how He defines love.
He calls us to live as the Light of the world.
Before Jesus died on the cross He said to the crowds:
“For a brief time still, the light is among you. Walk by the light you have so darkness doesn’t destroy you. If you walk in darkness, you don’t know where you’re going. As you have the light, believe in the light. Then the light will be within you, and shining through your lives. You’ll be children of light.” – John 12:35-36 (Msg)
Jesus is the Light. And He tells us to live by Him… by the same Spirit that lived in Him, now living and shining through each believer’s life. It’s not an easy task eh? To be children of the Light. Often, it’s hard to stand out from among others, to stand up against darkness. To die to our fleshly desires (ref. Galatians 2:20) because we trust that God’s ways are better than our ways. If we trust that His words are true, then we can trust that the darkness can indeed destroy us. Thank goodness we don’t walk alone! The Holy Spirit is trustworthy, consistent, and showing us the best way forward to bring God glory and to bring the best outcome for us personally. It is by His power, His strength, and His goodness that we get to walk as Children of the Light.
“Thank you, Jesus, that You were the Light that came into the world, to save all who would believe and surrender to You. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to guide our feet onto the right path. Thank you that You’ve entrusted us to carry Your Light into all the world, so all may know of Your goodness and Love. Thank you, Jesus, Amen!”
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