In Canada everyone knows the difference
between winter and spring. Until I spent a lot of time in southern California,
I did not realize that people living there also see a difference in the
seasons. Last January my three-year-old grandson in California wondered why
some plants in his dad’s garden were dead. I told him that they would come back
to life in the spring.
This cycle of life and death reminds me
of a similar spiritual principle in the Bible. Jesus said, “I tell you the
truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains only
a seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (John 12:24, NIV). In saying
this, Jesus was trying to prepare his disciples for his death and resurrection.
When Jesus did die and was buried in the
tomb, the disciples were confused and sad. Three days later their grief turned
to unspeakable joy at Jesus’ resurrection. By dying without sin, the Lord Jesus
was able to take our place. The sinless Son of God took the punishment for
sinners. Therefore Jesus the God-man received life through death.
Unlike Jesus,
we were born spiritually dead, but we may receive life by faith in the finished
work of Christ on the cross. “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were
reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been
reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Romans 5:10, NIV).
Have you accepted this priceless gift of
God—eternal life—by trusting that Jesus paid the penalty for your sins? The
blessings of spring could not come without the reality of winter.
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