“Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.” —John 12:24
Jesus understood something that His disciples would not grasp until after His death, resurrection, and ascension back into heaven—something the Bible calls a “mystery.” This mystery is that death brings life and that there can be no real life apart from our willing- ness to die. To help explain this principle, Jesus used an illustration from the world of farming.
As Jesus pointed out, if a grain of wheat does not fall into the ground and die, “it remains by itself.” Our natural instinct is to hold on protectively to our own lives. When we refuse to shed that hard, outer shell called “self,” no one can get close to us; no one can penetrate or enter into our life. Just as pride repulses God, so pride keeps others from getting close to us.
True Christian community is something few believers ever experience because it requires that each individual let go of “self” and pour out his life on behalf of others.
Make it Personal
Do you hold on to your “self,” or can you let go and let others get close?