Text: John 12:23-33
Theme: Produce Many Seeds
Introduction:
On this Holy Wednesday, let us meditate on the discourses of Jesus Christ through the text of John 12:23-33. He is a God of the universe. But has come on the earth to take care of our lives. The hour has come to prove his call and his purpose of coming on the earth. The Greeks came to him to see his glory as King but Christ has proved his glory as power over death, he has shown them the importance of life on the earth.
Power of Death John 12:23-24
Some believe in once we die, we simply cease existing. They assert that human consciousness arises gradually as the brain develops and will either slowly deteriorate or simply cease. Death means a person’s heart stops beating, the brain ceases to function, bodily functions cease, and life is gone. He is inanimate. He has died. These are the most visible symptoms of death. In fact, a person with hopes, fears, aspirations, dreams, cognition, emotional feelings, intellect, awareness had gone. The soul is gone. According to Ecclesiastes 7:2, death is the destiny of everyman. Like water spoiled on the ground which can not be recovered so we must die (2 Samuel 14:14).
Death was seen as a loss, failure, and entering into the land of permanent darkness. Old Testament narrated about death in many places. Biologically death is an end of life on the flesh (Genesis 21:16). Bildad, Job’s friend, characterized death as the “king of terrors” (Job 18:14). The ancient people believed that it is some unknown power or an agent of the dark world (Jeremiah 9:21).
‘Death’ could be understood purely biological as ‘the end of historical life’. ‘Death’ refers to the place of unknown existence after biological cessation (Job 38:17, Isaiah 28:15). The fact that ‘death’ can convey a variety of meanings. The term “sleep” is used in the Scriptures to describe the state of the body in death (1 Thessalonians 4:14). Daniel 12:2 dead are described as those who “sleep in the dust of the earth.” Paul describes death as a departure from God (Philippians 1:23). Death is gathered up to the saints' fellowship (Genesis 25:8, Judges 2:10).
Bailey, for his part, suggests three conditions which characterize a ‘bad’ death: premature (2 Samuel 18:32-33, Isaiah 38:1-12), violent (1 Samuel 28:15-20, 1 King 2:28-33), no surviving heir (Genesis 15:2-3, 2 Samuel 18:18). On the other hand, those who live to a good old age with children to succeed them have no reason to fear death (Genesis 25:8, 35:28-29).
“The terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me. And horror has overwhelmed me” (Psalm 55:4-5). This is the sentimental expression of the vast multitudes who have faced the prospect of death. And the writer of Hebrews spoke of those “who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:15).
“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). The whole world is subject to death because all have sinned. In Genesis 2:17, the Lord warned Adam that the penalty for disobedience would be death—“you will surely die.” Adam disobeyed but he did not die. However, he immediately experienced the spiritual death of separation from God (Genesis 3:8). Later, he experienced physical death (Genesis 5:5). All died (Job 30:23, Psalm 49;10). No man has power over the day of his death (Ecclesiastes 8:8). But Jesus showed His power over sin and death through resurrection (Revelation 1:18). Christ defeated death foe. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55, Hosea 13:14).
Life on earth expected to produce many fruits if it is planted by the streams of Water (Psalm 1:3). The seed that fell on good soil produces many fruits (Matthew 13:23). The death of the Old life produces many fruits (John 12:24). He cuts off every branch that does not produce any fruit (John 15:2). The branch which remains in the main plant will bear more fruits (John 15:5).
Value of Life – John 12:25-26
Death of the self has great value. It produces many seeds. Sacrificed life has many blessings on the earth. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Luke 12:7). Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life (Isaiah 43:4). For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you-for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye.” (Zechariah 2:8).
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, with loving-kindness, I have drawn you” (Jeremiah 31:3). His love is relentless, immeasurable, and infinite.
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them (Psalm 139:13-16).
Heavenly Attestation- John 12:27-33
Our life on earth must be attested with God’s voice. Our character must reflect the grace of God.
God has safeguarded Moses while he was three months old, it is a sign of heavenly attestation (Exodus 2:1-2).
We could see the heavenly attestation during the lifetime of David. He was rescued many times from the deadly arrows of Saul and other enemies (1 Samuel 15:28).
God attested his love for Daniel when he was thrown into a den of the Lions (Daniel 6:21--23). God has attested the three brothers while they walked over the fire and he rescued them (Daniel 3:24-27).
God has attested the work of Peter, Paul and attested to their life on earth during the life journeys( Acts:12,16).
