At this time of year in the gardens around our land, evidence is present in abundance of who are the real gardeners in our midst; and who simply keeps a piece of ground relatively tidy! Some of us generously give our plants and shrubs much freedom to feed themselves, fight against the bugs and pests and produce their fruit or flowers with as little direct intervention as possible!
However, the devoted gardener prepares the ground, feeds the soil and their plants and prunes and tends the objects of their care with a real passion that often results in a beautiful display that is pleasing to the eye of every beholder. What we all recognise is that we get out of our garden’s generally what we put in.
However, what we may not be sufficiently aware of is that exactly the same truth applies to our spiritual lives. Do I invest in my spiritual welfare by making the time to read and study God’s Word? Do I make a point of praying and seeking God’s guidance for my life?
A child that is never fed nutritious food will never develop physically in the way they should. A Christian who does not take in spiritual food and neglects the blessing of fellowship with other Christians will never realise the full potential God has planned for them. However, it is not just taking in spiritual food, there has to be an overflow or an outlet into service for the Lord in which we put into practice all that we are learning from Him and about Him.
The Dead Sea takes in the same resources as the Sea of Galilee, yet one is full of life and vitality because it also gives out its resources at the other end but the Dead Sea only takes in and never gives out and there is no life supported in its waters- there is only the aroma of death.
Our Bible passage today is John12:20-26: Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we would like to see Jesus.’ 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a grain 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.
What does this short message from Jesus teach us?
1. God’s plan is on schedule! Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified (John 12:23) We ask, ‘Why did this happen now?’ Or ‘Why has this … not happened yet?’ The questions are good and perfectly reasonable, but we have to accept that we might not find a satisfactory answer. In the current Covid-19 crisis an investigative journalist might be able to plot the historical time line of the virus’s emergence; a scientist might be able to explain to you how this virus came to be transmitted to human beings in the recent past; but this information may be inadequate to answer our ‘Why’ questions. The first followers of Jesus struggled with the fact that Jesus died on a cross. Jesus in the week before He died assured them that God is ultimately in control –even if we cannot see it at the time.
2. A necessary act unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies… (John 12:24a) Any gardener knows seeds must be sown and bulbs planted for the beautiful show of flowers in spring and summer. Jesus knew that without His sacrifice in our place on the cross the Christian Church could not begin.He died so that we could live. He invested so we could reap the benefits. Your service and mine for others at this difficult time is an investment into other people and into our communities. The harvest that will later come from it is unknown. However, Jesus modelled sacrificial love for us – how willing are we to invest in other people’s lives that may or may not appreciate it?
3. A great reward But if it dies, it produces many seeds. (John 12:24b) The planted seed never sees the harvest. There are many people whose lives we touch without us knowing. There are people in whom we have invested ourselves, but we might not see the good that results. Jesus assures us our efforts are not wasted. Jesus’ death led to the birth of the Christian Church which continues to grow year after year. Today around 2.3 billion people claim to follow Him that is remarkable growth from a small group of disciples when He died.
What is in store for our church or any other congregation in the future –only God knows. But I recommend we live by the motto of one of the greatest Christian missionaries of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century in India, William Carey, who declared: Expect great things (from God) and Attempt great things (for God). What are you hoping and praying for once this health crisis is over?
A good hymn to reflect on is: ‘Facing a task unfinished that drives us to our knees’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOpt_bulJxY