John 12:20 – 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 kernel 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 honor the one who serves me. (NIV)

Today we encounter some strong words from Jesus.  Jesus speaks of dying, losing our life, and hating our life.  What can all of this mean?  After all, Jesus told us in John 10:10 that he had come to give us a satisfying life, and now Jesus says we must hate our life.  Does Jesus contradict himself?

It basically comes down to what are we living for? Each of us can have a satisfying life, but we will not find that satisfaction in the things of this world.  A death is required to find satisfaction – a death to this world.  The Apostle Paul spoke of this dying to the world (sin) in Romans 6:2-4: “We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Our satisfying life – a life of peace – begins when we die to the world and live for Christ.  This is what Jesus is talking about when he says:  “Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (verse 25).  Hating our life is turning from worldly ways and desires, and so eternal life actually begins now.  When we turn from our worldly ways and desires, we then follow Christ, and will be where Jesus is (verse 26).

We will be tempted this day, and every day, to love the things of this world more than God.  It is a constant battle, but a battle that can get easier as we persevere in following Jesus.  Today, let us be steadfast in dying to the world and living for Christ!

Posted by Ramón Torres