A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Daily
Encouragement on
Wednesday, April
17, 2019
Early
yesterday morning we passed this country pond on Mount
Wilson Road in Lebanon County. We have a photo of this scene from last
winter and hope to capture it in each of the seasons.
(It was one of many photos that we are "wowed" by after
we have already passed the view so we turn the car back
around, return to the spot and capture it on camera so
we can share with our viewers.)
(Click
to enlarge)
"The
Blessing Of A Dying Seed"
Message
summary: Christ
became as a dying seed.
His death was necessary
so that He might impart
new life and everlasting
hope to a lost and dying
world.
Listen to our message on your audio player.
"I tell you the truth, 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" (John 12:24).
We
are seeing a lot of
agricultural activity in
our area, mostly field
prep and manure
spreading as the farmers
prepare for spring
planting. We especially
enjoy seeing the
old-order farming
methods reminding us of
methods used in previous
generations.
Jesus used a lot of agricultural illustrations in His teaching since it connected to the people of His day and also has universal application. Today He might use an illustration such as "hit your home button" or "reboot your computer".
Today we're going to consider a teaching in John 12:20-36 following His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem and during what we now call "Holy Week".
It begins with a request from some Greeks who were in the city to worship at the Feast. They came to Philip with this request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." Philip left so he could tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
The text doesn't tell us whether these Greeks actually saw Jesus or if they were able to speak to Him. In fact they are not even mentioned again in this passage! However I have wondered if one of these Greeks might have been Stephen who later had a leadership role in the early church and became the first Christian martyr recorded in Scripture. *
Instead it launches into a teaching in which Jesus begins, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified". He knew what was ahead for Him culminating with His sacrificial death on the cross in just several days. The next several verses He powerfully and solemnly speaks concerning His glorification. I love to study the Bible and examine His teaching point by point but today let's just consider the daily text.
"I tell you the truth" Jesus begins by saying something we can always be assured of when He speaks, yet prefacing a statement with these words will likely capture the listener's attention even more, as if to say, "I'm going to go beyond the surface and tell you the deeper or underlying meaning unknown to others."
"Unless
a kernel of wheat
falls to the ground
and dies, it remains
only a single seed."
Jesus frequently used
illustrations from
agriculture in His
teaching ministry and,
as far as I can tell,
this is His last one
recorded in Scripture.
Farmers are preparing their fields, servicing their equipment, and buying seeds. The imprudent farmer could keep that seed, show it off to others, even remind himself of previous bountiful harvests but its effectiveness would be nil as it would remain only a single seed. Instead, the productive farmer is interested in multiplication. He will drop that seed into the ground and bury it. This is easily observed and indisputably true.
In
Lancaster County farmers
plant a lot of corn.
During the planting
season I've often
observed the farmers as
they plant the corn (sow
the seed). A relatively
small bin of seeds is
attached to the planter
for each row.
Listen to our message on your audio player.
"I tell you the truth, 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" (John 12:24).
We
are seeing a lot of
agricultural activity in
our area, mostly field
prep and manure
spreading as the farmers
prepare for spring
planting. We especially
enjoy seeing the
old-order farming
methods reminding us of
methods used in previous
generations.Jesus used a lot of agricultural illustrations in His teaching since it connected to the people of His day and also has universal application. Today He might use an illustration such as "hit your home button" or "reboot your computer".
Today we're going to consider a teaching in John 12:20-36 following His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem and during what we now call "Holy Week".
It begins with a request from some Greeks who were in the city to worship at the Feast. They came to Philip with this request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." Philip left so he could tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
The text doesn't tell us whether these Greeks actually saw Jesus or if they were able to speak to Him. In fact they are not even mentioned again in this passage! However I have wondered if one of these Greeks might have been Stephen who later had a leadership role in the early church and became the first Christian martyr recorded in Scripture. *
Instead it launches into a teaching in which Jesus begins, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified". He knew what was ahead for Him culminating with His sacrificial death on the cross in just several days. The next several verses He powerfully and solemnly speaks concerning His glorification. I love to study the Bible and examine His teaching point by point but today let's just consider the daily text.
"I tell you the truth" Jesus begins by saying something we can always be assured of when He speaks, yet prefacing a statement with these words will likely capture the listener's attention even more, as if to say, "I'm going to go beyond the surface and tell you the deeper or underlying meaning unknown to others."
"Unless
a kernel of wheat
falls to the ground
and dies, it remains
only a single seed."
Jesus frequently used
illustrations from
agriculture in His
teaching ministry and,
as far as I can tell,
this is His last one
recorded in Scripture. Farmers are preparing their fields, servicing their equipment, and buying seeds. The imprudent farmer could keep that seed, show it off to others, even remind himself of previous bountiful harvests but its effectiveness would be nil as it would remain only a single seed. Instead, the productive farmer is interested in multiplication. He will drop that seed into the ground and bury it. This is easily observed and indisputably true.
After
the growing season at
harvest time I also
observe the combine as
it works the same field.
One large truck after
another comes alongside
the combine and soon the
truck is filled to
overflowing with corn
kernels (seeds). And so
the law of dynamics is
proven in Jesus'
teaching, "But if it
dies, it produces many
seeds." So, too, Christ became as a dying seed. His death was needful in order that He might impart new life and everlasting hope to a lost and dying world. Jesus willingly died and God resurrected His body. So, too, our sinful nature must die so that God will resurrect our spiritual nature in Christ. As a result we will bear much fruit as we walk in the righteous ways of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Jesus Himself declared, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself."
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father,
we thank You for
Jesus who gave
Himself as a
ransom for many.
He could have
possessed His
heavenly glory
alone, without
humbling Himself
as a lowly
servant being
made in human
likeness. He
could have
entered heaven
alone even after
He took on the
nature of man,
by His own
perfect
righteousness
without the
agony of
suffering or
death, but then
we could not
have been saved.
The entire human
race would have
been lost. We
thank You, God,
for Jesus who
became obedient
to death, even
death on a
cross. As a
result You
lifted Him to
the highest
place and gave
Him the name
that is above
every name. It
is through the
obedience of
Your Son, Jesus,
that many are
made righteous
and we are
forever
grateful. In
Jesus name we
give thanks.
Amen.* The churches first recorded internal dispute is recorded in Acts 6 with the issue being "the Hellenistic Jews (Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture) among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The apostles established the first deacon board to oversee this. They wisely chose representatives from both Hellenistic (Greek) and Hebraic men for this task. Stephen, the most prominent of the seven, had a Greek name.
Yesterday
morning we
passed this
Mennonite
school in
rural Lebanon
County. It was
still brisk
but the
children were
bundled up and
out in the
sunny weather
for recess.
Today
we will share
some photos
from a bike
ride we took
late yesterday
afternoon
along the Northwest
Lancaster
County River
Trail. It
is one of the
many
outstanding
rails to
trails in our
area.
Shock's
Mill Bridge
(Railroad)
(Click to enlarge)
(Click to enlarge)
Notice how the bike path is partially flooded. During really high water they have to close the trail at this point. With many heavy rainfalls this year it's likely been closed often.
I
made an
interesting
phone call as
we stopped to
enjoy this
scene. Our
friend, Jesse
Lapp, had
called and
told us that
an individual
named Tom,
along with his
family and
friends,
stopped
earlier in the
day at the
farm and asked
if he knew
Steve Weber.
Turns out, Tom
is a Daily
Encouragement
reader who was
visiting the
area from New
York primarily
to see the
show "Jesus"
at Sight and
Sound.
Traveling
through rural
Lancaster
County he had
seen the Old
Windmill Farm
sign and
recalled our
references
to Jesse and
the Old
Windmill Farm.
Jesse took
down his phone
number and
passed it on
to me. I had a
nice talk with
Tom who has
been a reader
for many
years. The
best we can
determine is
that he likely
signed up to
receive the
messages at a
conference in
Boston about
20 years ago
where we had a
small DE
display. He is
now retired
but at that
time was a
college
professor in
New Hampshire.
We enjoy
learning more
about our
readers and
especially
enjoy meeting
them face to
face.
The
White Cliffs
of Conoy are a
result of the
waste from a
limestone
operation over
100 years ago.
Now it's been
considered the
world's first
industrial
waste tourist
attraction!
(Click
to enlarge)
This
peaceful view
of the
Susquehanna
River is from
Koser Park in
Bainbridge, PA
where we
turned around,
returning on
the trail
toward our
van.
(Click
to enlarge)
I
just don't
have the zoom
for a clear
picture but we
could see the
bald eagles
along
Susquehanna
River.
Actually this
is an attempt
using the
River Trail's
binoculars
that are built
on a platform
near the
viewing point
of the bald
eagles.
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"At
the Cross" Video Gaither Vocal
Band
"My Saviour's
Love" Video
Kingdom Quartet
"When I Survey The
Wondrous Cross" Video
Kathryn Scott
(This week is known by
many as Passion Week or Holy Week
which covers the events in
Christ's life from the Triumphal
Entry to His resurrection. We will
leave the following materials up
throughout the week.)
Major
Events of the Passion
Week
The four gospels cover the life of Christ, a period of about 33 years. Most of this material deals with the 3˝ year period of His ministry. However an astounding 30 of the 89 accumulative chapters in the gospels deal with the period from Christ's triumphal entry through His resurrection and post-resurrection appearances. Mathematically this means that approximately 33% of the written material in the gospels deals with a mere .05% period of His life! In the providence of God we have a much greater proportion of material dealing with God's greatest act of mercy in providing our redemption.
Here's an interesting chart from a Study Bible that may be helpful as you study the Bible this week. It sure helps me to have a sense of when the events took place and is inspiring to read these Scriptures in the daily sequence leading up to Easter.
Sunday
- Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem: Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-40; John 12:12-19
- Jesus Clears the Temple: Matthew 21:12,13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45,46
- Jesus' authority challenged in the temple: Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8
- Jesus teaches stories and confronts the Jewish leaders: Matthew 21:28-23:36; Mark 12:1-40; Luke 20:9-47
- Greeks ask to see Jesus: John 12:20-26
- The Olivet Discourse: Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21:5-38
- Judas agrees to betray Jesus: Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10,11; Luke 22:3-6
- The Last Supper: Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20
- Jesus speaks to the disciples in the upper room: John 13-17
- Jesus struggles in Garden of Gethsemane: Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1
- Jesus is betrayed and arrested: Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-12
- Jesus is tried by Jewish and Roman authorities and disowned by Peter: Matthew 26:57-27:2, 11-31; Mark 14:53-15:20; Luke 22:54-23:25; John 18:13-19:16
- Jesus is crucified and buried: Matthew 27:31-56; Mark 15:20-41; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:17-30
- The glorious resurrection: Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18
(This material is developed from
an outline in the Life
Application Bible)
"It's
Still The Cross!"
(A selection of
Scripture verses focusing
on the Cross
for personal, family or
congregational reading.)
Worship leader: Here they crucified Him, and with Him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. John 19:18
Congregation: This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. Acts 2:23
Worship leader: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
Congregation: May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14
Worship leader: By abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. Ephesians 2:15-17
Congregation: He made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name. Philippians 2:7-9
Worship leader: For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:19,20
Congregation: When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13,14
All: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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