Week 34 (18 - 24 Aug): Primed for Sacrifice

“The hour has come…”, declares Jesus to the Greeks, His disciples and the crowd. This very pivotal moment, towards the end of His ministry on earth, for the Son of Man to be glorified. Is He about to be seated on a throne, clothed in garments fit for a king with a crown of jewels on His head and a sceptre in His hand? Far from it. The truth will shock many. The manner of His death inconceivably cruel.

It has always remained crystal clear to Jesus what His primary mission on earth was. To establish the kingdom of God on earth and offer salvation and redemption from sin through God’s love. However this comes with an enormous price tag, the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. On pain of death bearing the full weight of all our sins notwithstanding; the Father turned His face away from Jesus. But just like a seed that falls on fertile ground, this act will produce more than a thousand fold. Our cell group discussed the significance of the seed. The dying of the seed (Jesus’s death) brought forth transformation. Our old self has been nailed to the cross. We are reborn; God’s new creation. To say that this transformation is a celebration is the understatement of the century.

In v36, the Bible says we are children of the light for God is light. And if we are, we are to shine brightly to cast out darkness and draw all peoples towards the light. We are to have a relationship with God and hear His heartbeat. We are to act with urgency to reach out to the unsaved for time is running out. Jesus is the Resurrection and He is coming back. Be ready for Him. Jesus cautioned us not to be like “the rulers” who though believed in Him refused to confess their belief publicly. We are to love the praises of God rather than men.

Our group also discussed v47 where Jesus says He did not come to judge the world. Judgement is reserved for the Father. Just as Jesus was instructed by His Father to say and do certain things, we are to follow Jesus. We are not to judge and ostracise people who differ from us in thoughts and actions but to love them. We are to do the will of God. This is quite a tall order and the group recognises that whilst we are all work in progress, we are to continue to strive towards that. Let us chew and meditate on the Word of God for His command is eternal life.      

On behalf of Diakonia

George