John 12:20-36

Dear Friends:  Please take a look at John 12:20-36 before Sunday, because this is the passage we are going to dwell on for a few minutes in our service message.  It is the story of a group of Greeks (read "non-Jews", or citizens of secular society) who seek Jesus out and want to see Him.  They approach His disciples, who in turn approach Jesus.  Interestingly enough, the story never tells us whether or not they get a chance to talk with the Master, but it does allow Jesus a platform to continue to teach the people some important truths about God.

 

In this story Jesus instructs those listening of a very fundamental fact of agriculture.  When a seed is planted in the ground, it has to "die" -- that is, it has to cease being a seed and germinate -- before it can bear fruit as a fully mature plant.  Likewise, Jesus is saying, He also has to die before His followers can receive the Holy Spirit and become faithful disciples, transformed by God's power into the image of Christ.  Like the glass that is filled to the brim with water, something has to go out before what is fresh can come in.

 

The season of Lent is a time of both letting go and grabbing hold.  We are called to let go of unforgiveness, anger, deceit, unfaithfulness, jealousy, and a host of other things that can keep us from receiving God's Spirit.  These things have to die from within us.  And once they are gone, we can receive the renewing and refreshing life that only God can give.

 

This Sunday we are going to talk about this process, and hopefully find some ways together that we can better make this a Holy Lent, and boldly go forward to "let go and let God."