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Journey to Jerusalem Day 38

Friday, March 26 John 12:20-26
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.


“Be fruitful and multiply.” Most of us would recognize this as God’s command to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, shortly after their creation. But he gives this same command to Christians in the new creation, and Jesus is the second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:42-49). Bear much fruit. Multiply and fill the earth with the glory of God.


How can we accomplish such a monumental task?

Jesus has shown us the way. It is the way of the cross.
The way of the cross is the way of death to self. Jesus says it so succinctly, “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” We cannot follow Jesus and cling to our life in this world.


If we serve him, we must follow him to the cross and die to ourselves, for as St. Francis of Assisi said in his famous prayer, “it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” It is in dying to ourselves that we can bear much fruit for the kingdom of God.


What is holding you back from bearing fruit?


Lord Jesus, you are the Way to eternal life. By your blood shed for us on the cross you purchased us for yourself, and you invite us to follow you to the cross and put our sins and old life to death that we might live with you forever. Grant us the grace to do this, that we might bear much fruit and bring honor and glory to your name.
Amen.