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The Third Day – Seed

We continue to look at the new creation that is to be found in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus using Genesis 1: 9-13, John 1: 35-42 and John 12: 20-27.
Opening Liturgy
And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear."
And it was so.
God called the dry ground "land", and the gathered waters he called "seas".
And God saw that it was good.
Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds."
And it was so.
The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds.
And God saw that it was good.
And there was evening, and there was morning
the third day.
Genesis 1:9-13 (ANIV)

Readings
The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"
When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning round, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?"
They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"
"Come," he replied, "and you will see." 
John 1:35-42 (ANIV)
I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 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. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.
John 12:24-26 (ANIV)

Reflection
I’ve followed him from the day when John the Baptizer pointed him out to us… Following him has never been straightforward… But things recently have just been plain confusing… When we entered into Jerusalem it seemed as if everything was coming together… Some said it seemed as if the whole world was at his feet… though that was probably stretching it a bit… But then some Greek speaking Jews asked to meet with him and we realized that this was now bigger than we had ever imagined…
But he didn’t seem to see it that way… yes he seemed to think it was important… But he started to talk sowing seeds and reaping more… I suppose with it being the harvest season it brought it to mind… and it brought me back to my childhood days… sowing seed and following the plough… but it then became clear that he was talking about death and dying… and how we who were following him should be ready to die if we are expecting any eternal rewards…
When I started following him it was because I thought that he was the one who would make all things right… Take away the sin of the world, as John had said…
Now? I’m not so sure. How could his death, or ours make a difference? What good could grow from such a seed?

Prayer
Jesus forgive us when we play at following you
Forgive us that we forget what it costs to be fruitful
You, and you alone know what potential lies within us
Help us to die to self so that we might know life in all its fullness
Help us to die to self so that others might live
Help us to die to self
Help us to die
May we go into this day, knowing that we are a new creation, children of God, followers of Christ, servants of the sacrificial servant. May we live and die faithfully and fruitfully through Jesus Christ. AMEN

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