The Cost of Following Jesus
John 12:20-33
20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 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. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27 “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. 28 Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
This Sunday’s service can be viewed on our Facebook page @ Sunday, March 17, 2024
Hello NewDay Family,
Happy St Patrick's Day on Sunday!
St Patrick is one of my favorite Saints, and also has a powerful life story. If you've never read the Breastplate Prayer of St Patrick, it's worth it, and may also give you a new prayer to have on your lips and in your heart when you're facing uncertainty or difficulties. It's a prayer I often pray in the morning, on my way to work.
St Patrick faced the powers of evil in his time of living. He experienced kidnapping, slavery and also the choice to forgive, return to people who had harmed him, and share Jesus with them. He also had a choice to stand and walk in faith, trusting God when his very life was on the line (thus the Breastplate prayer).
Jesus had changed Patrick's life in such an awesome way that his purpose in life became focused on sharing Jesus and following Jesus, no matter the cost- even unto his own life. That's pretty amazing.
The connection point for St Patrick, our series on Discipleship, Lent and this Sunday's message is about the cost of following Jesus, and what this will mean for us, as we read in John 12:20-33.
I am grateful we have stories like St Patrick's, as it encourages us, reminding us that following Jesus will not be easy-peasy, and is so very much worth it.
We also get the blessing to experience even more of God's love, grace and goodness in the places we are challenged, scared or unsure of what will happen next.
Whatever you're going through this week or today, may you receive new courage, love and comfort from the Holy Spirit. May you also be reminded that Christ is beneath you, around you, behind you, above you, before you...He's got you.
See you this Sunday.
In Christ,
Pastor Kari
PS- If you want to learn more about St Patrick's Breastplate Prayer, here you go!