Day 18: Dying to Multiply
Today’s Reading: John 12:20–36
Welcome to Day 18 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2023. This is Week 3, The Church Multiplied.
The Focus: “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.” (John 12:24–26 NIV)
The Meditation: “if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
Sir, We Want to See Jesus
Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the festival asked to see Jesus (John 12:20–21). The nations were beginning to arrive. Jesus answered by speaking about His death. The hour had come for the Son of Man to be glorified (John 12:23).
The Seed
He explained it with a picture from the fields. Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds (John 12:24).
First of all, He was speaking about Himself. Jesus is the seed that fell into the ground. His death on the cross was not a defeat. It was the sowing that produced a harvest from every nation, and we are part of that harvest.
His soul was troubled as the hour came near, but He did not ask to be spared. He prayed that the Father would glorify His name (John 12:27–28). He said that when He was lifted up from the earth, He would draw all people to Himself (John 12:32).
The Pattern for Us
Then Jesus applies the same principle to us. Those who love their life will lose it, and those who are willing to let it go in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12:25). Whoever serves Him must follow Him, and the Father will honour the one who serves Him (John 12:26).
We cannot die for anyone’s sins. Only Jesus could do that. But we are called to die to self: to our pride, our comfort and our right to have things our own way. Paul could say that he had been crucified with Christ, and that Christ now lived in him (Galatians 2:20). A life that is given away is a life that multiplies.
Pray It Through
Thank Him for the cross. You are part of the harvest that came from His death. Thank Jesus for it.
Ask what needs to die. Is there something you are holding on to that is keeping you from being fruitful?
Serve somebody. Do one thing today that costs you something and benefits someone else.
Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus, thank You that You were willing to fall into the ground and die for me. I am alive because of Your cross. Show me where I am still holding on to my own life. Help me to die to self and to follow You wherever You lead. Make my life fruitful for Your Kingdom. Father, glorify Your name. Amen.
Listen and Watch
Pastor Ras shares a short message for Day 18 in the audio and video below.
Keep going
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