Devotion:
For an audio version of this devotion, click here.
Read John 12:20-32.
This passage is packed with things for us to see, to understand, and to incorporate into our lives. Some Greeks were drawn to Jesus upon his triumphal entry into Jerusalem and asked to see him. Philip took them to Andrew, who went with him to tell Jesus; and we are reminded how we are not meant to turn people away but rather to bring them to Jesus. Then Jesus spoke about how a single kernel of wheat is just that, a single seed. But when it dies into the soil, it produces a harvest of many seeds. When we keep our lives to ourselves, serving our own interests, we are just one. But when we give our lives unselfishly to serving Christ, others will be drawn to him.
Jesus refers in verse 32 to the time when he will be “lifted up,” referring to his coming death on the cross, but the Greek word for this also means “exalted.” Through his death and resurrection, Jesus would be exalted above every name on earth, and many people would be drawn to him. We are not so much called to die for Christ as we are called to live for him, lifting up his name by our everyday witness in word and deed.
Personal Worship Option:
Give thanks today that someone or perhaps several people lived before you a life focused on Christ and spoke to you about his influence on their lives. Through their witness, you came to know Christ. Now it is our turn to lift up Christ to those around us.
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