Take Your choice, Jesus, a crown of gold or a crown of thorns.

Wednesday 8-10-2016   Home in Modesto

Scripture Reading:  Jer 5 - 6    John 12

S=Scripture  O=Observation  A=Application  P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S. John 12:21-25 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus. But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.  Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. NKJV

O. The fame of Jesus had spread rapidly, especially since He raised Lazarus after being dead and buried four days. Jerusalem was filled with visitors from all over, since Passover was approaching. When the word was out that Jesus was coming, great crowds we out to meet Him as He rode a donkey into town. Meanwhile the Pharisees were talking about how to kill Jesus and Lazarus, too. Jesus was the “talk of the town.” Now here come some Greeks and beg to see Jesus. Jesus responds, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.” That may have sounded good in the ears of His disciples… until His next words. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”

A.  I might have reasoned like Peter and said, “Jesus, don’t talk about death! The whole world is ready to crown You king!” But Jesus was looking for a Kingdom that would not fade in a few years, a Kingdom that would spread across the entire world. Yes, he had the power to take over, to destroy His enemies and even Rome. But that was not His plan. His plan was to plant the seed of His life in the soil of His Father’s will and watch it sprout with many seeds. Then those seeds would become His Spirit filled disciples, who would in turn, plant the seeds of their lives. And from there on it would be a geometric progression to reach to the ends of the earth. And if I will, like those disciples, die to my will to plant the seed of my life in the fertile soil of His will, He promises MUCH FRUIT.

P.  Jesus, don’t let me miss Your best for lesser dreams. May the lure of the world’s glitter never smother Your plans for my life. Help me plant my little seed in the soil of Your will. All I ask is the fulfilment of Your promise, a harvest of much fruit.  Amen.

Ralph

Ps 126:5-6 They that sow with tears will reap with joy. He that goes out to sow, weeping as he lets his precious seed fall to the ground, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing an abundant harvest with him. NUHV*

*New Unauthorized Hiatt Version