Christmas 2017-12-28
- Journal
- Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
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Read & Reflect
John 12:20–33 (ESV)
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
John 12:20-26
- Reflect on the link between glory and becoming “a grain of wheat [that] falls into the earth and dies” as it applies to Jesus’ life. How does the Christian understanding of glory differ from the world’s definition? In what ways has Jesus been actually glorified, not only through his resurrection but also in history?
- In what way would it be foolish for grain to refuse to fall to the ground, and how does this parallel the folly of those who “lose” their life because they “love” it too much?
- What does it mean in my context to follow Jesus in becoming the grain that falls and dies?
John 12:31-32
- Reflect on Jesus’ triumphant statement in this verse. How has the triumph of the cross of Jesus driven out the prince of this world?
- Gratitude Journal & Prayer of Thanksgiving
- Write down three things that you are thankful for.
[1] Darrell L. Bock, Luke, The NIV Application Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996), 86.