Endings or new beginnings?
Amanda MacQuarrie
November 06, 2021
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John 12: 20-36 (NIVUK)
20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we would like to see Jesus.’ 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.
27 ‘Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour”? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.28 Father, glorify your name!’
Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.’ 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30 Jesus said, ‘This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
34 The crowd spoke up, ‘We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain for ever, so how can you say, “The Son of Man must be lifted up”? Who is this “Son of Man”?’
35 Then Jesus told them, ‘You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.’ When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies it remains only a single seed. But if it dies it becomes many seeds….
Yesterday we thought about our tears, and the birth of something new that might come from them…
It’s good though to remember that although we are called to participate in God’s Kingdom building mission, it is never ours. We’re not in control. And no matter how much we might want things to stay as they are, all things come to a natural conclusion. Often though, with God these endings lead to new and better things, blessings in disguise which lead to even more fruit.
What are you holding onto tightly?
Has the time come to let it go? Lay it down?
Whether it’s the end of a relationship, the way things were, or the way you hoped things might turn out… God can do so much more if we let go and with our empty hands grasp God as God invites us into the future that God has planned for us… and God’s Kingdom in us… grows just a little more.
PRAYER:
Kingdom builder,
Plan orchestrator,
Loving companion on life’s way…
Gently encourage us
To let go of our lives
And to let you guide us,
Shape us,
Heal us…
Growing your Kingdom in us and through us
With each “yes” we utter to your invitation to trust,
And with each step as you encourage us and give us faith to follow.
Continue your Kingdom work in us,
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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