In one of the last conversations Jesus had with His disciples, He said, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (John 12:24).
Jesus was referring to Himself. He was pointing out, “If I don’t go to the cross, if I do not die, there will be only this single seed.” But He did die. The result is that there are now millions of us around the world. We are both the fruit and the seeds of His surrendered life.
In the very next verse, Jesus applies the same rule to us: “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25).
Love one’s life
Consider, what does it mean to love one’s life? What does that look like? Is it getting up in the morning, going to work, coming home, going through the daily drill? On weekends it means playing with the kids and cutting the grass and then going to church? Loving oneself is living life and keeping one’s discretionary time for one’s self.
Jesus died for a lost world. He calls us to do the same. That means drawing in the people who need Him most. But the cost for doing this is the death of our own self-centered lifestyles.
See the Harvest
We need to open our eyes and see the harvest. The people of Jerusalem were judged because they ignored the day God visited them. Like today, many professing believers in God have forgotten the foundations of God’s truth. Truth has eroded in this world to the point where we no longer know the difference between good and evil. We who know Jesus need to open our eyes and observe what is happening. Jesus’ analysis still stands. The harvest is plentiful, yet the workers few. His solution also still stands. GO!
Walk around your place of work each morning or evening. Pray for the people working around you. And if you don’t know their names – learn them! Ask the Spirit to use you or someone in their life to draw them to Himself. Make this a habit. Watch what happens! It is our assignment to make disciples.
PATRICK LAI and his family have worked in SE Asia for over 37 years. His experience in doing business with Jesus has brought him to understand the meaning of work and worship in the marketplace. He started 14 businesses in four countries, six of which are still operating. Patrick and his wife, May, mentor and coach businesspeople working where there are few or no Christians. Check out Patrick’s latest book, Workship, now available in paperback and e-book.