THE DAY IT THUNDERED !
Toward the end of Jesus' stay on earth He said that it was time for Him to be glorified. But before that could happen it was necessary for Him to die for the sins of the world. Jesus said:
"The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Most assuredly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life. If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there will my servant also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
"Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say? 'Father, save me from this time?' But for this cause I came to this time. Father, glorify your name!" Then there came a voice out of the sky, saying, "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." The multitude therefore, who stood by and heard it, said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered, "This voice hasn't come for my sake, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." But he said this, signifying by what kind of death he should die. John12:23-33
Did it thunder? NO! Some would not accept what Jesus said, so they said it thundered. They claimed the sound was due to natural causes. The same is true today. God created this world and He is in control of what happens, but people will not recognize Him as Creator and Controller. They claim the universe came by natural causes and mankind is the cause of what happens on earth.
Just what did Jesus say that was so unpopular that they said it thundered? If they accepted the sound as God speaking they would have to accept the truth of His words that it was necessary for Him to die and that His followers must also die. If we are followers of Jesus we must die to the world and death to the world means we will HATE our life in this world.
What did Jesus mean when He said; "He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." Even Jesus had trouble with this statement, for He was tempted to pray that God would save Him from the purpose of His coming to earth. But He would not, because He came to do His Father's will. Regardless of the cost, Jesus fulfilled the will of His heavenly Father for this was His Father's desire.
The cost was great for Jesus had to leave the glory He had in heaven, come to earth as a man, and die as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. But He looked beyond the present to the future; "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12.2)
We must die to our love of this world, because loving the world is a wall of separation between us and God. It is a matter of eternal life. So, why is it so difficult for us to hate the world? Loving the world brings slavery, despair, anger, fear, and destruction. While love for God brings love, even for enemies; joy, regardless of the consequences; peace, in all circumstances, and a freedom found nowhere but in Christ.
What are the results when we die to the world?
We will bear much fruit.
We will be where Jesus is.
We will keep our life for eternal life.
Our heavenly Father will honor us.
When we die to the world we are not giving up very much. Because, the things of the world have little value in comparison to the joy, happiness, and contentment we will receive for eternity in heaven. The cost of loving the world is very high for it means losing eternal life in heaven where everything is perfect. You are the one who makes the choice, so do make the choice to follow Jesus and love Him completely
Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up. Galatians 6:9.
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Revised June 2000. Scriptures changed to The World English Bible.
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