Death and Resurrection

“Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.” – John 12:24-25

Like so many things in the biblical story, death and resurrection are both literal and metaphorical realities. They didn’t just happen to Jesus; they happen to us.

Death and resurrection are the universal pattern of life. Spring follows winter. Bitterness dies so forgiveness can live. A snake sheds it’s skin in order to grow. Fear dies so that love can flourish. A grain of wheat is buried so that many may be fed.

Jesus’ death and resurrection celebrate God’s victory over death and evil. But they also model the daily pattern and life-long pathway to fullness of life. We are forever dying to what was in order to make room for what will be.

Easter isn’t over. It’s just beginning. Easter faith is trusting that death will always make room for more life.

What in you needs to die so that something new can come to life?

Jeff Marian serves as lead pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, MN.