John 12:20-33 (NRSV)
Read John 12:20-33 on biblegateway.com
Verse 20Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. Verse 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Verse 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Verse 23Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Verse 24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Verse 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Verse 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
Verse 27"Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say-'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Verse 28Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." Verse 29The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Verse 30Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Verse 31Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. Verse 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." Verse 33He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
Devotion
Have you ever been the recipient of someone paying it forward? Someone buying your coffee for you. Receiving a note on your windshield with a couple dollars to spend on something special. A complete stranger paying off your layaway. Paying it forward isn't a new thing. But it has got me thinking. What does it mean to really, truly put the needs of others before my own? What sacrifices will you have to make? We are nearing the fifth Sunday of Lent. Have you been able to keep your Lenten sacrifice this year? These sacrifices are designed to help draw us closer to God. They allow us the space to put God before ourselves. What if instead of giving up something, we would take something on? What if in these last days leading up to Holy Week, we stopped to look at the needs around us?
Jesus teaches us that in order for a grain of wheat to grow it must be buried. We are called to give up a little of ourselves for the sake of others. With these small dyings come sacrifices, but also opportunities to grow. With our hearts focusing on our neighbors and not ourselves, we can see glimpses of Easter light.
Prayer
Gracious God, give us grace to look beyond our own needs, letting go of the things that prevent us from faithfully serving you. Amen.