Why is hating your life a good thing?
Why did Jesus say “those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life?”
“Jesus replied, “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. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates 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 honor the one who serves me.” – John 12:23-26
There is a hard lesson here and it is not so easy to swallow. Why on earth would Jesus say we should “hate our life?”
Should we assume that Jesus hated His life and if so why in Gods name would anyone ever want to follow Him?
What is it that is most important to you? Please take some time and think about it and write down what it is that is most important to you.
Could it be that the lesson here is that if Loving God and Loving others is not the most important thing we will “lose our life?”
Consider the fact that He was talking to the Greeks and He had just said He would soon be killed or “glorified.” Consider the fact that if you serve God and love others your life will be like that single “kernal of wheat” that unless it falls to the ground and dies will remain only a single seed. But through Love and Loving others and giving of yourself and that being the focus of your life. Your life will produce many seeds instead of just hangovers and memories.
Could it be that Jesus in this passage was talking about being Love-centered instead of self-centered?
Could it be that this passage like many others is saying that our aim and focus needs to be Love to be able to be in the kingdom of God that is within us?
“Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.”
Where was He and what had He just talked about?
His own death was what he had just talked about and the place where He always was- was Loving others. Even when He “cleared the temple” He was doing so out of Love for people, the ones who came there to seek God and the ones who were focused not on Love but on their own profit.
Here is a meditation for you.
Find a time and a place where you hopefully wont be disturbed. There are days when the only way that works is a long bathroom break behind in the stall of tranquility but that still works.
Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths and with each one relax, be still and know that He is God. Begin to picture yourself loving others and doing things that show Love as you get a better picture of that start this:
Breath in and say:
“Follow Jesus means”
Breath out and say:
“Love others”