Pauses for Lent Day 40
Pauses for Lent by Trevor Hudson
Word for Day 40: DIE
Scripture: “Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” John 12:24
In the verse above, Jesus is primarily speaking of his own death. At first his death will appear as a tragedy, but in the end it will be a triumph. His death will be the ultimate victory of the resurrection power of God over the forces of evil, sin, and death.
Jesus invites his followers to die as well. Jesus invites us to die to ourselves in order to bear good fruit. We are asked to lay down our lives in love to be raised to new life.
The breathtaking message of Good Friday and Easter Sunday is that life comes out of death. The big question facing us as we journey into the events of the cross and the resurrection is this: What do we need to die to this Easter in order to enter more fully into the new life Christ wants to give us?
Comment from Marie: It is interesting that "Die" is the last word for this Lenten study and concludes with the question, “What do we need to "die" to this Easter in order to enter more fully into the new life Christ wants to give us?” In thinking about this question let’s focus on Jesus, on his sacrifice to the death that brought us all new and abundant life!! Maybe we just need to continue to focus on that glorious reality and let the negative thoughts, doubts, and behaviors die. Thank you for sharing these last 40 days and please continue by sharing what you think of today’s word.
Comment from Betty: I want to thank Marie for preparing the daily posts and her comments for me to publish. I think we have found a good way to do various ongoing studies in the future. Blessings to all, Betty
Word for Day 40: DIE
Scripture: “Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” John 12:24
In the verse above, Jesus is primarily speaking of his own death. At first his death will appear as a tragedy, but in the end it will be a triumph. His death will be the ultimate victory of the resurrection power of God over the forces of evil, sin, and death.
Jesus invites his followers to die as well. Jesus invites us to die to ourselves in order to bear good fruit. We are asked to lay down our lives in love to be raised to new life.
The breathtaking message of Good Friday and Easter Sunday is that life comes out of death. The big question facing us as we journey into the events of the cross and the resurrection is this: What do we need to die to this Easter in order to enter more fully into the new life Christ wants to give us?
Comment from Marie: It is interesting that "Die" is the last word for this Lenten study and concludes with the question, “What do we need to "die" to this Easter in order to enter more fully into the new life Christ wants to give us?” In thinking about this question let’s focus on Jesus, on his sacrifice to the death that brought us all new and abundant life!! Maybe we just need to continue to focus on that glorious reality and let the negative thoughts, doubts, and behaviors die. Thank you for sharing these last 40 days and please continue by sharing what you think of today’s word.
Comment from Betty: I want to thank Marie for preparing the daily posts and her comments for me to publish. I think we have found a good way to do various ongoing studies in the future. Blessings to all, Betty
3 Comments
To me "dying" in this context is very similar to "will". We die to those things keeping us from realizing and accepting the Will of God. Perhaps two sides of the same coin???
Yes, many thanks to Marie for discovering this series and for her additional comments every day. These pauses have done just that - made me pause and reflect on individual aspects of my faith. It's been very good and I've appreciated reading the comments of others, too.
Thank you Marie. I have enjoyed these pauses very much.
Thank you so much, Marie, for your leadership of this Lenten study. Your recommendation to "let negative thoughts, doubts, and behaviors die" and "focus on Jesus' sacrifice that brought us all new and abundant life" is a fitting conclusion for this Lenten journey.