A Fallen Grain, A Risen Savior
2018년 3월 18일Jesus came first for the “lost sheep of the house of Israel,” that is, the Jews. In today’s gospel, the Greeks (Gentiles, that is, non-Jews, that is, us!) come to Jesus, signifying an end to his primary mission and the beginning of his second: to be the savior of all the world. But he uses an unexpected method— his death. He tells his followers his death is not only inevitable and unavoidable, but totally necessary. “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and die, it remains a single grain. But if it dies, it bears abundant fruit.”
Jesus then declares if he is lifted up, he will draw ALL people to himself. Being “lifted up” refers to his crucifixion. How would that terrible, shameful, humiliating execution possibly attract people? Because, if they are honest, anyone can look upon Jesus nailed to the cross and recognize that that is our human condition. Eventually we will all be betrayed, deserted, and die despite our best efforts.
Yes, it is our common human condition, but it is not our final destination. The grain will fall, but it will rise with new life, far greater than what died. Death is a transition, not the end. And so we look upon our crucified savior both with sorrow for our sins (which made this necessary) and with praise and wonder that Christ, who was born like us and lived like us, should also die like us— to show us how to live and die. Let us therefore repent our sins more out of joy and gratitude, than from sorrow or fear. When we gaze upon the crucifix, never forget: God is dying to forgive us.