4/3/25 John 12:21-27 “A Life of Sacrifice”
Jesus knew that His time had come to die on the cross, to be glorified. He said to his disciples, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” He knew that by dying on the cross, multitudes who trusted Him as Savior would inherit eternal life. Through His sacrifice, many would be blessed.
Jesus went on to encourage His disciples to follow Him, to follow His example of sacrifice. His statement was reminiscent of what He said in Matthew 16:24. “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Selflessness and sacrifice are part of following Jesus. So is surrender. In John 12:27 Jesus indicated that He had come to that particular point in His life for the purpose of dying on the cross. He was surrendered to His Father’s will. Later He would pray “not My will, but Yours be done” in Luke 22:42.
It is when we sacrifice that we make the most impact. Again, Jesus said in John 12:24, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” Are we willing to die to what we want and surrender to God’s will?
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