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“Memorial Emphasizes Many Offering Rescue In All Lives!" (M.E.M.O.R.I.A.L)”

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

SCRIPTURE:
"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, NIV)

Approach Question:
"What do you think is the function of a seed?"

Observations:
I asked myself what points were made by Jesus?
1. Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground.
2. Unless a kernel of wheat dies, it remains only a single seed.
3. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

Interpretations:
Point 1: "Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground."

I asked myself what does Jesus mean by 'unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground'?
Jesus was using a farming analogy to talk about Himself as the KERNEL OF WHEAT.  Now Jesus lets them know in subtle terms that HE WILL BE STRUCK DOWN as the KERNEL OF WHEAT and is WILLING to FALL TO THE GROUND. KERNEL OF WHEAT can also be seen as His body hitting the ground. But Jesus does not stop there as is evidenced by Point 2:

Point 2: "Unless a kernel of wheat dies, it remains only a single seed."

I asked myself what Jesus meant by 'unless a kernel of wheat dies, it remains only a single seed.?'
Once again Jesus was talking about Himself. He was preparing the disciples for His death because only in His willingness to die that the 'kernel of wheat' won't remain a single seed. Jesus did not want to just remain a single seed so Jesus decided to act. That act had to do with sacrifice but more than that I believe Jesus was foreshadowing that the Kingdom of God did not and will not just belong to the Jews but to the Gentiles too. This is evidenced by Point 3:

Point 3: "But if it dies, it produces many seeds."

I asked myself what Jesus meant by, 'But if it dies, it produces many seeds?
Jesus was reminding those listening that He has to die for many seeds to be produced. Those many seeds that are produced goes beyond the Jewish people. It includes the opportunity for Gentiles to come to Him too and be part of His Kingdom. That is exciting to know and is evidenced by what preceded Jesus' declarative statement:

"Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 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 12:20-24, NIV)

Jesus was telling His disciples that many Gentiles would one day become His followers because of His death and resurrection when people would turn to Him, as His death on the cross of Calvary opened a way for their Salvation. Jesus became the initiator and many seeds would be produced.

IMPLICATIONS:
I asked myself what are the implications for my own life?  
Two years ago, at Oakland International Fellowship, Edwin reminded the congregation that Monday is considered to be Memorial Day, a day to remember all the soldiers who loved the country enough to die for their country that the people may live and prosper in freedom. This also made me think of what Jesus Christ did for me as I reflected on John 12:24.

Yes, we should remember this day for all the fallen soldiers who gave their lives for us so that we could have earthly freedom. We should be so grateful for all their sacrificial lives and it is justified to have a holiday to remember them. It should be more about remembering their sacrifice for us even while the nation enjoys Memorial Day picnics, BBQ, etc.

I cannot however forget about my spiritual condition and what Jesus Christ did for me to save me as I reflect on Memorial Day. Jesus saved so many people I love and will continue to save!

Jesus loves me so much that even before I was born, Jesus decided to go to the Cross of Calvary and rescue me from the dominion of darkness by becoming my sacrifice, shedding His precious blood for me. Jesus sacrificed His life so that I could have freedom being redeemed by His blood. Jesus did that because I am His beloved. Wow, thank you Jesus!  But, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was not just for me but it was also for you too!

I ask you now dear friend, who will you remember physically and spiritually on this M.E.M.O.R.I.A.L Day?
Dear friend, Memorial Day should be remembered as a day where soldiers loved this country that they died for it so the people of this country can have earthly freedom but it should not stop there. Memorial Day should also be a day to remember the love of the Savior for you and me. The difference however is that Jesus is alive and will be coming back again. We remember from our memory of what Jesus did for us 2000 years ago that we may have life and freedom that comes from Him from the bondage of sin and death.

Even this spiritual freedom with Christ we cannot enjoy here on earth if it were not for the brave sacrifice of soldiers who died for us so that we may have freedom. So, we need to remember our veterans and all soldiers that fought for us and for our religious liberties too. Thank you Jesus.

Speaking of Jesus, Jesus Christ loves you so much that Jesus died on the cross to redeem you from the bondage of sin and death. Yes, friend, when we were lost and had no way out, Jesus did not leave us LOST  like the T.V. series finale but acted by becoming the kernel of wheat, falling to the ground and dying so that He could produce many seeds. Those seeds are all those that would come to Him and receive their freedom in Him. Yes, friend Jesus paid the Ultimate Price and is the Perfect Ultimate Fighting Champion with no blemish because He became the Champion for the souls of humanity to rescue them from the dominion of darkness.  If we don't have Jesus Christ as our Perfect Ultimate Fighting Champion, we will lose for Eternity.

That means as we think about Memorial Day, we should not also forget what it means to us spiritually because of the price paid by the Lord.  Our freedom was paid by the Blood of the Lamb of God to wash away all of our sins and set us free in a world of confusion with thoughtless pollution and dangerous intrusion.

Three years ago, Pastor Ed shared an analogy at Oakland International Fellowship about people who are a certain type of diabetic and no matter what good things they think they do to their body such as eating well, etc will not change the fact that unless they get a shot of insulin daily, they will be in danger of dying.

Then, Pastor Ed talked about many who are spiritually diabetic and are dying because they try to achieve healing in their own ways for their soul but no matter what we do, we cannot save our soul without outside intervention such as that insulin shot. In this case, the outside intervention for spiritual diabetics is a daily shot of grace that can only come through Jesus Christ because of what He has done for you and me. This needs to be memorable for our own freedom!

So, what does it mean for you and me in the here and now?

Thank the Lord Jesus for what He has done for you that you can receive freedom "For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!"

Now, we can give our life to Him by offering our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Him; for when we think about what He did for us, this is not too much to ask and it should be our spiritual act of worship not out of obligation but out of love being beloved by the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Praise the Lord! Thank you Jesus! This is the theme verse that Calvin, who originally led Transformers small group chose as we reflect on Christ and are transformed.

I am reminded of the Sunday School that  Pastor Paul Bucknell taught two years ago  regarding Lord's commitment towards Peter. Even though Peter had fallen and gave up on the ministry, Jesus did not abandon Peter. Instead, He redeemed Peter's failures, restored Peter, and reinstated Peter into the ministry. This was an act of His grace. As every year went by, I would not be surprised if Peter looked back and remembered that day as Memorial Day, a day to remember what Jesus did for Him. We too should never forget what Jesus did for us and the religious freedom we have in this country.

That means lay your sin before the Lord giving Him everything that is broken in your life and let Him make you whole and put you back together. Humpty Dumpty could not be put back but Jesus can definitely put us back together no matter how far we have gone in our sin. Yes, He can friend so come as you are and find grace in time of need to continue in life's race for Jesus will be your number 1 Ace!

As stated before, this would not have been possible without the sacrifice of our soldiers who gave their lives that we can enjoy religious freedom. For me that religious freedom has to be in Christ. So, on this Memorial Day, as we remember the fallen who gave their lives for this country and lift up their families in prayer, let us also remember what Father God did for us and why the Lord Jesus had to act for our freedom.

"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:14-17, NIV)

Friend, Jesus became the kernel of wheat and died so that many seeds can be produced out of the single seed. Jesus wants you to belong to Him and loves you so much. If you were the only one living, Jesus would have still died for you to make a way for you to receive Eternal Life. That is the Heart of the Father.

^"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1, NIV)

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:8-9, NIV)

Friend, we need Jesus because we have been separated from God due to our sin. Because of our sin, Jesus had to pay the price to become our bridge so we can reach God now not of our own good works but because of the finished work of Christ, the Lord on the cross.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)

Friend, the Good News is also that Jesus did not remain dead but on the third day rose to life and sits at the right Hand of the Father to give life to all those who believe in Him. Yes, friend that includes you and me when we believe in Him. Because of that, one day we will be with Him!

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, NIV)

This Memorial Day if you have never thought about what Jesus did for you and reflected on it, won't you do it now?

Won't you come to Jesus just as you are and have Him give you the freedom only He can?

Yes, friend no matter where you have been or what you have seen, you are never out of His love and never out of His reach. He loves you as you are! There is nothing you can do or not do for His love to reach you! That is the Heart of the Father! When He saves you, it is not because of anything you can do but because of His agape love shown through His gift of grace that is not earned. You and I can have this no matter what the world looks around us in it's confusion, intrusion, and thoughtless pollution. 

"Solution for Confusion"
(c) By Ramesh C. Reddy

In this month of May
On this Memorial Day!
Remembering lives that had to pay

In a world of  confusion,
When there is no solution?
In a world of intrusion,
When there is thoughtless pollution?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, this Memorial Day, even as we remember those that have given their lives for this country so that people like us can have freedom, please be with their families and comfort them in their own time of loss. And Lord, even as we experience freedom earthly style, let us not forget about the freedom that you want to offer us that can only come from you. Thank you so much for becoming the kernel of wheat for me and falling to the ground and dying so that many seeds can be produced. You became the sacrifice on the cross of Calvary so by your precious Blood, I could be saved. Thank you for making a way for me to be saved because you love me so much. Your Word says, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. We want that freedom that you offer for our soul, in this world of confusion with dangerous intrusion and thoughtless pollution. Help us Oh Lord, God of our Salvation. Thank you for redeeming us and saving us by your blood. Thank you for being my Beloved and loving me so much beyond words can express. Thank you for hearing my prayer and answering me. I give my life to you and come to you as I am.  Thank you for dying for my sin and coming back to life to save me. I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior. Please be my Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you again for everything you have done for me and now I belong to you. I praise you Lord! I pray for the one who does not know you yet Oh Lord that they can come to know you as their Lord and Personal Savior. Guide them and lead them Oh Lord. Thank you so much Jesus. In Your Name I pray Jesus! Amen!

May the Lord Jesus guide you in His love leading you! Amen!

No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help by His grace alone!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Express Your View

2013 DEVOTIONALS:

"What has the law P.E.R.M.I.T.T.E.D you to do but it goes against the Lord?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 09, 2013, 6:57 a.m)

"Who do you become an A.T.T.R.A.C.T.I.O.N to and why?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 08, 2013, 6:58 a.m)

"What has A.N.G.E.R done to your relationships?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (April 29, 13, 1:28 p.m.)

"How can the L.I.G.H.T impact your life?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (April 06, 13, 11:48 a.m.)