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
It was a call I never thought I would get. A family's 5-year-old daughter drowned in their family pool. These are times when I feel ill equipped for ministry. But as I walked with this family during those difficult days, I found strength beyond my own understanding. In the days leading up to the funeral, the family received phone calls and visits from people asking them what they could do. They didn't say that they needed food or flowers. They told each person to find a faith community. It is during heartbreaking events like this where we need the body of Christ more than ever. And to be reminded that there is salvation even in death.
Jesus has given his life so that we might find true life. Jesus said that "and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself" (John 12:32). It is in our darkest times when we must cling to our faith and see glimpses of new life emerging around us.
Prayer
Loving God, thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to die so that we might have true life in you. Amen.