Life from Death

Upon His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Jesus taught that a grain of wheat must fall to the ground and die or it will produce no fruit.

At first glance, it seems like an odd topic for such an occasion.

However, the week would unfold quickly, and these people would be in the crowd as Jesus, their king and hero, would be crucified, bleed, and die, then be buried.

What a change from the jubilant scene here!

We can make several observations on this.

First, the people could remember this lesson as things turned violent towards Jesus through the week, ending Him on the cross. His brutal death could crush the hearts of those who believed in Him and followed. At the cross, or after, they could remember that “the grain of wheat must fall to the ground and die” or it would not produce fruit.

Second, the “fruit” from His death was paying the penalty for sin. Without forgiveness, there could be no inhabited kingdom and presence of the Father and the Lamb (Revelation 4–5), no promises of eternal life, or blessings. The Savior, Jesus, needed to die to pay this price in order that the blessings of Christianity might flow from the cross. The grain must die, or no fruit!

This difficult week leads us first to Good Friday, where the “grain of wheat”—Jesus—would die. As He died, He said, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). He meant that the payment for sin was complete and satisfied His Father’s righteousness and wrath. This became the foundation for all of the Kingdom.

Everything flows from the cross.

Now we join the voices of the New Testament and stand firm in His grace and accomplishments of the cross. It is the beginning of all victory over sin. Jesus is our Rock for defeating death.

Why not begin today and thank the Lord for your forgiveness, which was the fruit of His death?

Begin by knowing you are forgiven, simply by grace and nothing you have done.

Being clean, trust Him to help you grow in knowing, following, and loving Christ. It is the life with no regrets!