Lenten Devotion: Learning from Paradoxes (John 12:20-36a)
Day 33 – 11 Apr 2025.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” John 12:24
Are you sometimes amazed by the frequent occurrence of paradoxes in the Bible? The Lord’s disciples had just informed him that some Gentiles (Greeks) were seeking an audience with him. Yet Jesus’ response sounded like he didn’t quite hear the request clearly.
In the course of my work, I often encounter similar requests to meet and I would usually respond appropriately. For example, if a colleague tells me that a parent wishes to speak with me about school fees, I would readily meet the parent. Can you imagine what reaction I would receive if I answered with a discourse about economic trends amidst international socio-political turmoil?
Yet this was precisely what the Lord did. And Jesus’ answer not only addressed the request but helps us understand the ways of God’s kingdom.
Instead of the logical argument that cultivating healthy, strong crops would yield more fruit, Jesus reveals a different perspective – a grain of wheat needs to fall to the ground and die. Only then can it bear much fruit.
We are reminded during Lent that Jesus’ suffering and death is just like that grain falling to the ground and dying. Without that we would still be a people without hope. The case for faith in Christ is a most compelling one not because of the things he did when he walked this earth but what he continues to do because of his death and resurrection.
Of course, this isn’t suggesting that we stop working hard and learning more so that we may be better equipped for our calling. But it is, in fact, Christ’s exhortation to us to die to every aspect of our life that blinds and obstructs us from seeing and knowing him as well as appropriating his promised abundant life for ourselves. It is a cry to believe in the Light while we have the light.
Perhaps then for us Christians, saying that we are “dying to see the Lord” isn’t just cliché but a deeper and more glorious truth. May this season of Lent lead us to repent of our foolish ways and avail ourselves to the Holy Spirit to illuminate God’s truth to our hearts and minds.
Vincent Lim🙏✝️