Dying to live

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Samuel 1:1–2:11 
John 12:20-50 
Psalm 118:19-29 
Proverbs 15:27-28 

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

John 12:43 (CSB) "For they loved human praise more than praise from God."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

While reading John 12 this morning, I was struck by one of the themes of this text - dying to live.

John 12:25 (CSB) "The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."

If we desire to live this life as an end in itself, we will lose it and eternity. But, if we die to this life and live for the life to come, we will demonstrate that we are a true Jesus-follower.

John 12:32 (CSB) "As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself."

In this verse, Jesus talked about his own death. He was calling His followers to do only what He was willing to do. His literal death on the cross illustrated the death in our heart that must take place - we must live for eternity and not for this life.

And when we come to John 12:43, our Verse for Today, we see that part of dying to this life involves who we seek affirmation from. The previous verse said that there were people who were choosing to believe in Jesus but they wouldn't make it public for fear of being banned from the synagogues (their places of worship). It is in this context that John 12:43 is given - people cared much more for the assessments of others rather than God and they acted accordingly.

John 12:42-43 (CSB) "Nevertheless, many did believe in him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, so that they would not be banned from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than praise from God."

So, friend, are you living the one life you've been given as an end in itself? Or are you living this one life for eternity? The answer to that question can be determined by whose affirmation you seek - people or God's.

May we desire to live appropriately in this life ("growing in favor with people" [Luke 2:52]) but only crave Heaven's applause ... and act accordingly.