Devotion for Wednesday 09/04/2025

I grew up in the rural farm scene, and I am always amazed by the power of life hidden in seeds. An acorn can stay dry, dead, and dormant for a hundred years, but when planted in the right soil, it grows into a mighty oak tree. A small seed left in the crack of a rock can even split it in two as the plant grows!

Recently, I germinated some tiny chia seeds and took many macro photos of the process. It is truly fascinating!

In John 12, which is considered the last part of “The Book of the Signs” before John transitions to the next section, “The Book of Glory,” from Chapter 13 to 20, we see more profound teachings.

We will stay in the Book of John for our devotional series until Good Friday.

John 12:23-26 (NIV)

23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel 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.”

As He often does when making a bold point, Jesus uses the phrase "Truly, truly." This comes from a Rabbinic teaching style, where the repetition of the word “amen” invokes agreement and emphasises a key idea.

Here, the Lord powerfully uses the paradox of dying and living. The earthly example of seeds sown and buried in the ground illustrates dying. A seed usually sheds its outer shell, puts forth roots, and grows into a young plant. This process is a profound metaphor for surrendering and discarding our old selves. The promise is this: “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

To be honest, we all have things dear to us that can be difficult to let go of. Biblical truth is often filled with paradoxes and ironies—for instance, the humble will be exalted, the giver is more blessed than the taker, and to die is to gain.

Our Lord Jesus offers us a new perspective. By giving up His rights and dignity, He accomplished the great redemption plan for humankind. This is the meaning of verse 25: “Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (Note: In Hebrew and Aramaic, “hate” means to love less.)

I want to leave John 12:26 with us to reflect upon: “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.”

Have a blessed Wednesday!