Study inJohn’s Gospel

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Dying toLive

Chap 12v20-26

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IntroductionOur society promotes the value of life in a variety of ways. We have life belts, life rafts, lifeboats, lifelines and lifeguards. Lifesaving courses abound. Fire-drills are regularly carried out in public places. Health and safety regulations are applied. Against all this emphasis on life-saving, Jesus instruction strikes many as strange, “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” v25. Why should we listen to such teaching?

First, the One who spoke those words did exactly what he said. He gave up his life, but in a way that we can hardly describe as foolish. Secondly, by giving his life he succeeded not only in gaining his own life but also a vast host of followers. Clearly there is something here that requires closer study.

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The Great PrincipleJesus began by stating a great principle of nature, “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.” Jesus illustrates the principle that life comes out of death by referring to a grain of wheat. It remains unfruitful unless it is buried in the ground. This ‘life out of death’ principle is seen in many areas of life; e.g. in business. The man who is constantly watching the office-clock and who appears in work merely to secure a wage is not worth much to his employer. But the man who takes pride in his work, and who gives of himself, determined to do a good job, is invaluable.

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The Great PrincipleThe family provides us with another application. If parents live only for themselves then their children’s lives will suffer because they do not think to give them direction. But if they take their parental responsibilities seriously and put their children before their pleasure, then their children are more likely to thrive.

The principle is seen in national life. On Remembrance Day in the West, we remember those who in battle gave no thought to personal safety but laid down their lives to protect their nation. As a result we enjoy relativesecurity and freedom.

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The Great PrincipleThis principle of ‘life out of death’ is given a spiritual focus by Jesus. Only as we say, “No!” to ourselves are we capable of saying, “Yes!” to God and so receive his blessing. Paul said, "I am crucified with Christ" Gal. 2v20. He meant that he had died to self in order that he might live for God. And again, "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" Gal. 6:14.

Paul is saying that his identification with Christ in death made it possible for him to live for Christ and his values and not for the world and its values. It is only through death that life comes. Jesus demonstrated the principle in his own death and subsequent resurrection.

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The Truth AppliedWe all find it difficult to relate to abstract principles. They do not carry the same weight for us personally. Knowing this, Jesus makes a telling personal application. His thought moves away from the grain of wheat, when he says, "The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."

The most interesting feature of this verse lies in its contrast. The life described in the first part of the sentence uses the Greek word ‘psyche’, a reference to the ‘human mind and personality that thinks and plans for the future’. This is where death must take place! So that the selfish independent will of Christ’s followers must die, before they can submit to his will.

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The Truth AppliedThe second word translated ‘life’ in this verse is ‘zoe’ and this refers to the ‘newness of life’ that God gives. Every Christian has this eternal life now, but he has it in all its fullness only when his entire personality with all its likes and desires is fully surrendered to Christ. You could say that the Christian will experience the fullness of God's blessing only when he consciously and deliberately walks in God's way.

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The Truth AppliedThere are many people who think that because God is loving, the Christian can enjoy the fullness of God's blessing without having to submit himself to Christ’s Lordship. Such thinking is not biblical. Such people convince themselves that they can flout God's law and reject its high moral standards.

This they do over and over again and as a result find they are not at peace. They wonder why. Well, this is why. They have not died to their own desires in order that they might live for Christ. They have not been crucified with Him.

They have not obeyed Him!

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The Truth AppliedIs this great lesson one that we need to learn? It is not easy to put to death all that gratifies our selfish desires. It is not pleasant to be crucified but you will never truly live, in the fullest spiritual sense, until you are. George Muller lived in Bristol several generations ago. He founded a number of orphanages and maintained them solely through prayer. He never asked for financial help. When asked for the secret of his effective service, he replied,

"There was a day when I died - died to George Muller, his opinions, preferences, tastes and will; died to the world, its approval or censure; died to the approval or blame of my brothers or friends; and since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God."

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The Truth AppliedTo lose your own life in order to gain life eternal does not mean you must do what Muller did and open children’s orphanages. But it means you must be willing to do what Christ directs. It will not be a sad or gloomy thing either. Don’t think that! God is not a spoilsport who wants our lives to be dull and uninteresting. The thing that brings real sadness upon us is disobedience. To obey is a joy.

We read that it was "for the joy that was set before him" that Jesus endured the cross and scorned the shame. Heb. 12:2.

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A Personal InvitationThirdly Jesus’ teaching about ‘life through death’ involves an invitation. He invites us to put it into practice by following him, "Whoever serves me must follow me." The gospels tell us that Jesus had no place to lay his head. At times he was hungry, weary and hounded by enemies. Do you reply,“If I’d been there, I’d have taken him in; I would have fed him; I would have shielded him from his enemies" ?

But how can we know if we are expressing more than mere sentiment? If we really want to serve Jesus we can do so now. He speaks to all of us when he says, "Whoever serves [really wants to serve] me must follow me."

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A Personal InvitationHow can we follow Him? First, by saying “No!” to selfish desires that conflict with his will. This will not necessarily mean a total change in what you are doing with your life, for you may already be doing what God wants of you. On the other hand, it may mean a total change.

The real issue is one of the will. Are you willing to do whatever Jesus asks? It may materially impoverish you or make you the object of ridicule. You may end up working in some obscure corner of the world. It may mean surrendering some of your leisure time. Will you obey Him? Will you serve Christ by following where he leads?

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A Personal InvitationSecondly, you can follow him in service. We can follow him by involving ourselves in feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, clothing the needy, and visiting the sick and those in prison. In the past the church led the way in such areas. We founded missions and built hospitals. We launched welfare programs and cared for widows and orphans.

But we do not do that so much anymore. In the U.K. we have conveniently hidden behind the fact that we now live in a welfare state.

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A Personal InvitationBut there is a lot going on in the voluntary sector, in charity shops, nursing homes, foreign mission projects etc. If you are engaged in helping others, that is good. If not, serve Christ by following him in such service.

Thirdly, you may serve Christ by following him on the road of holiness. If we are to serve Jesus, we must strive to be like him. That means putting aside all we know to be wrong and sinful in our lives and disciplining ourselves to spend time with him in order to grow in him.

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ConclusionNotice that having given an invitation, Jesus offers two incentives to help us respond. First, the promise of his presence, “where I am, my servant also will be”. These words can apply to this life. If we follow Christ here, we can be sure he will be with us. Which is better? To be in good circumstances without Jesus or, to be with Jesus even if that means persecution, suffering or imprisonment? Surely to be with Jesus whatever the cost!

He is worth any cost. Jesus’ words can also apply to the future, meaning if we identify with him here, in his suffering and sorrow, we’ll also be with him in glory.

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ConclusionThis leads to Jesus’ second promise: "My Father will honour the one who serves me." Spurgeon, the famous London, Victorian preacher imagines a setting in which a prince and his servant fall into the hands of bandits, who hold the prince for ransom. During the ransom negotiations the prince falls sick. The servant tenderly cares for him. When faced with the opportunity of escape the servant rejects it, choosing instead to remain with his master. Finally, the prince and his servant are rescued.

Who will the King honour? The King will say of the servant, "this is the man who cared for my son in prison, when he was near to death. He shall therefore be with my son in the palace where I will treat him as a cherished member of the family.”

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ConclusionIn the same way, Jesus tells us that God will honour those who follow him in this life. Those who are prepared to face self-denial, suffering and perhaps even death for his sake. For the day is coming when God will say, “this man, this woman, is a highly cherished member of my family.” If on Remembrance Day, we rightly honour those who have fallen in battle, how much more will God honour those who have followed his Son on the costly path of discipleship and who are able to say, “I have been crucified with Christ”.

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