Losing to Gain

I do not like to lose. From an early age, I have been competitive. Whether it is a board game or athletic competition my goal is always to win. Sometimes I will join in some sort of game and someone will declare that we are just playing for fun and that there is no need to keep score. I am always appalled at that. What is the point of a game if the purpose is not to determine a winner? I suppose there were a few times when my sons were especially young that I let them win. That was rare and only because I wanted them to feel good about themselves. Even then, I did not like losing. We do not know if Jesus played any sort of games when on earth. However, in the game of life, he taught that to win, one must lose.

In John 12, Jesus has triumphantly arrived in Jerusalem to lay down his life. There would not be many more teaching opportunities; but as significant events unfolded, the Christ wanted to be clear about achieving eternal life. Some Greeks (Gentiles) were in town and wanted to see Jesus (John 12:20-22). They were apparently left hanging even though their request for a meeting with Jesus did reach him. There are several possible reasons as to why Jesus did not speak with them. It is possible that these men were more interested in discussing philosophy and were more intellectually curious about Jesus than spiritually hungry. Perhaps more likely is that their request was a signal that the hour had come for the Savior of the world. So, he would give his full attention to the task at hand and address his disciples directly. After all, they would be the ones to spread Jesus' message after he ascended into heaven.

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 (23-24). Previously, it was repeatedly stated that his time had not yet come. Now the hour/time had come! Jesus would glorify the Father by despising the shame of the cross. He would endure it for the joy set before him. By God's incredible design, physical seeds must be dead and planted before they can produce what it was made to. Jesus understood that he must die to produce salvation and many followers. One would die for many.

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 (25-26). This strong teaching reflects what one's heart must be like to live for Jesus. No doubt, it is why so many reject the gospel. People tend to love themselves and their lives. We want to keep it and continue to do things our way. To turn around in repentance is not at all appealing. To follow Jesus, however, we must be like him. He surrendered to the will of the Father. He denied himself and emptied himself. He "did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing..." (Phil. 2:6-7). Consider what Jesus lost and how much we gained by his sacrifice. Our Lord has every right to call his disciples to lose so that we can win eternal life. Christians today crave comfort. But to truly follow Jesus, we must serve him. That is not always comfortable or easy. But our service means being honored by God himself. That is an excellent reason to "lose." Many of Jesus original disciples would lose their physical lives in his service and witness.

As Jesus thought of his crucifixion he could not help to be stirred in his spirit. Imagine going to your doctor for a checkup and being told you have a week to live. "Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!"

Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him (27-29). Jesus was certainly in touch with his feelings and willing to share his heart with those closest to him. David Jeremiah said, "Here we see Jesus in his full humanity. His soul was troubled, not because he wavered in the reason he had come, but because he knew the suffering he would endure. In bearing the sins of the world, not only would he experience physical torture, but also, he would be separated from the Father. Nevertheless, Jesus was obedient to death" (Phil. 2:8). It crossed his mind to ask to be spared but he knew he could not do that. He arrived at this hour to die and therefore glorify God. The voice of God thundered in approval. It was certainly reassuring for Jesus; but he was glad the others present heard it.

Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine" (30). If the followers had any lingering doubts as to whether Jesus was God's Son, they merely had to listen now. God's glory was revealed. Soon Jesus would reveal his glory by going to the cross. For us, his loss would be a win.