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20 There were some Greeks in town who had come up to worship at the Feast. 21 They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee: "Sir, we want to see Jesus. Can you help us?" 22 Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip together told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered, "Time's up. The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 "Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. 25 In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal. 26 "If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you'll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment's notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me. 27 "Right now I am storm-tossed. And what am I going to say? 'Father, get me out of this'? No, this is why I came in the first place. 28 I'll say, 'Father, put your glory on display.'" A voice came out of the sky: "I have glorified it, and I'll glorify it again." 29 The listening crowd said, "Thunder!" Others said, "An angel spoke to him!" 30 Jesus said, "The voice didn't come for me but for you. 31 At this moment the world is in crisis. Now Satan, the ruler of this world, will be thrown out. 32 And I, as I am lifted up from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me." 33 He put it this way to show how he was going to be put to death. (John 12:20-33 The Message Bible)
Dear Friend, Happy Monday! I wish you peace and joy during this day. My heart is full as Nellie and I still celebrate the birth of our seventh grandchild. We were blessed to be home when Caitlin and baby Ari James came home from the hospital. Mom and baby are doing well and we thank God for that. Seeing this tiny boy reaffirms my belief in God's marvelous creation. We thank you again for your prayers! Truly they were answered in a wonderful way. Big brother Eli had the last of his sutures removed at a plastic surgeon's office on Friday and he was quite the trooper not even winching with their removal. ¡Gracias a Dios! May we be in prayer for the family of The Rev. Josue Mora, a retired pastor from the Rio Texas Conference. Josue is the brother to Dr. Raquel Mora Martinez, wife of Bishop Joel Martinez. His memorial service will be in June to accomodate family and friends. May God's comfort be with all who mourn his death during these days.
God blessed Nellie and me in letting us be in the Holy Land six years ago, and later to travel in Greece, with a great group of brothers and sisters from our church, First Methodist of Gonzales, Texas. The impact of Jesus on Greece is almost immediately felt and seen. The first European convert to Jesus was Priscilla, whose church we were blessed to visit. So, to read that during Jesus' ministry, some Greeks came to Jerusalem reinforces the belief that many people heard about and sought the Messiah. The universal longing for God's Messiah shows there are no borders or barriers to seeking and finding He who will save your from your sins. Even Greece! Those Greeks probably did not expect to hear that they might have to die to become followers! Jesus' statement, "Time's iup. The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 'Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reporduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal." This metaphor highlights the cost of following Jesus. It may require sacrifice, letting go of worldly desires, and embracing challenges for a greater purpose.
The calling from Jesus is to realize that we must sacrifice all to receive the glorified life. Jesus challenges us to examine our priorities. Are we following Him for personal gain or out of a genuine desire to serve Him and live according to His teachings? Jesus holds transformative power and that is found in surrendering to God's will. We should release our desires for earthly comforts and know that can lead to a deeper connection with God and a more fulfilled life guided by His purpose. Jesus knew the power of earthly things to detract and even detach us from Him. We must not take off our eyes from the prize: An eternal relationship with the God of love. Our investment should be in putting our energy in things that have lasting value, which is a lasting relationship with God. A daily commitment to be by Jesus' side serving with Him faithfully in a life that loves and embraces all people. Jesus says, quite correctly, even now, "At this moment the world is in crisis," and His death was what was needed for God's plan to move forward.
This passage made me immediately think of the classic and powerful hymn, Are Ye Able? The lyrics are like the response of Jesus to the Greeks, and also at other points, to His own disciples, but with the challenging reality to all who would follow Him: "Are ye able," said the Master, "To be crucified with me?" "Yea," the sturdy dreamers answered, "To the death we follow Thee." And the chorus: "Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine. Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine. Thy guiding radiance Above us shall be A beacon to God, To love, and loyalty."
Sturdy dreamers of the world, unite! And get to work doing what God has called us to.
PRAYER: Loving God, We thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, who willingly laid down His life for our salvation. Help us to embrace the call to die to ourselves, so that we may live fully for you. Give us the strength and courage to surrender our will to yours, trusting in your plan and purposes for our lives. May we bear fruit that brings glory to your name and spreads your love to others. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Reflect on areas of your life where you may be holding onto selfish desires or ambitions. Surrender those areas to God and ask Him to help you die to self so that you may bear fruit for His kingdom. Seek opportunities to serve others and share the love of Christ with those around you, knowing that true life is found in sacrificial love and obedience to God's will.
I love and thank God for you,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
