Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten Meditation

Scripture:

Read John 12:20-26.

TEXT: "And Jesus answered them,
'The hour has come for the Son of Man
to be glorified. 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'"
(John 12:23-24).

Jesus entered Jerusalem in triumph.
The disciples were convinced He was
about to establish His throne in
Jerusalem, so Jesus had to teach
them a tough lesson.

Christ Jesus stood alone, the only
man whose life on this earth was perfect
and worthy of earning heaven. But
unless He died on the cross in our place
He would remain alone, and we would all
perish eternally in hell. By dying in our
place, taking our sins on Himself and
paying the full price God's justice
demanded, Jesus would save us all,
and open wide the gates of heaven.

Our earthly life is similar in many ways.
If we wish to selfishly save our earthly life,
we will lose it. But if we hate our earthly
life in comparison, longing for that better,
heavenly life, we will keep it for eternity.
Thankfully, Jesus leads the way for us.
He did not love His earthly life so much
that He was not willing to lay it down on
the cross. No, He was looking forward to
a better, eternal life with us-a life made
possible only through His suffering,
death and resurrection.

It's a good time for us as individuals to
stop and examine our attitudes toward
our lives, as well as our willingness to
leave them all behind for Jesus and the
eternal life He gives.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank You for offering
us eternal life through Your Son Jesus
Christ. Help us all to hate this life in this
dark, sinful world that we may keep our
lives eternally in Your light. In Jesus'
Name. Amen.

Lutheran Hour Ministries