As we move through Lent and start to focus on Easter, we join Jesus in his journey to Jerusalem as he walks the path that he knows will lead to his suffering and death. He has told his disciples on many occasions that he will be handed over and killed, and that this is necessary to fulfill Scripture and to allow for a new Kingdom reality to be born. Jesus says that unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it cannot produce new life and new fruit. He told the disciples that after his death he would be raised to life, yet he still had to walk through that horrific journey holding on to the hope and love of the Father.
Metaphorically, over our lives there may be several “deaths” we face whether we like it or not. This might be in relation to the loss of a career or position, a loss of a relationship, a letting go of something that we have held dear which feels like a death and a deep grieving process. Perhaps through our own health challenges we face loss of function or ability to do what we could easily do in the past.
But coming to acknowledge that many of these things come upon us in ways that we have no control over, will help us to accept them despite the grief and pain that comes with them. Acceptance of loss helps us to move through them to the possibility of new seasons of growth on the other side. But it can be hard to let go or accept the “death” of whatever circumstance we face. We continue to hold on to things in a way that does not release them or us into a different season or situation. We can remain stuck and experience the loss, but not miss possibility of new life beyond that.
As we follow Jesus, these “deaths” or seasons of loss can help us to go deeper in our trust of God and the journey Jesus himself travelled that first Easter. They can be opportunities to completely surrender to Gods love even as Jesus fully surrendered to the Father and his will. There is no guarantee of a good outcome on the other side, but there is always the possibility of new life and hope as things die and create new space for growth. The caterpillar must surrender to loss before a butterfly can emerge and the grain of wheat must die before a new plant can spring forth. So if you are in a season of loss where you feel something or some part of you is dying, can I encourage you to walk with Jesus this Lent. To surrender your situation fully to him, and to grieve the loss but also hope in the possibility of new things that might emerge.
John 12:23-26 Jesus said, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, 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. Those who love their life will lose it, while those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.
Grace and Peace - Garry