Thoughts for another day

December 8, 2008.

Today's verse: Jn. 12:24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The life of our Lord Jesus Christ is punctuated among other things, with His great love for mankind and His Spirit of sacrifice and reconciliation. Throughout His life, we see unfold, a new dimension of love and reconciliation among people particularly tax collectors, prostitutes and the outcaste of society at that time. The film ‘End of the spear’ based on a real story, comes to mind where a group of five missionaries go into the jungles of Ecuador to evangelise to the Waodani, a primitive tribe known to shed blood at the least provocation. Because of the lies of one of their tribesmen, they slaughter the missionaries.

Nate Saint was one of the five men brutally killed by Mincaye, one of the tribesmen in 1956. His son Steve Saint goes back to Waodani village along with some others to witness the love of Christ. Eventually, through this witnessing, much of the tribe is converted and brought to the Lord, but not before many poignant and moving scenes are shown of the killer of Nate Saint, Mincaye. His remorse at what he did is so much that he atones to the point where he becomes intimate with Steve that the two now become like grandfather and son! Today they even move around the world together, witnessing to what the love of Christ can do to even the most embittered and evil soul.

While this story can illustrate many points, it emphasizes the life of Nate Saint, who offers himself as the wheat in the fertile soil of Ecuador to be sacrificed so that much fruit is borne for God’s Kingdom. Christ Himself became the first wheat among the others who were to follow, thus winning for Himself much fruit.

My friend through this verse the Lord teaches us that sometimes, sacrifice, even of oneself is important to get out of stagnancy and bear fruit for God’s Kingdom. Today, if we don’t see much growth in the Kingdom of God, it is because His people lack the spirit to go out and lay down their lives as that little grain of wheat, so that though their blood the gospel is preached. For when the Word of God moves abroad with shed blood, then God moves His Hand to touch the hearts of sinners and bring them back into His fold.