Dying: What did Jesus say about Dying

Jesus’ teachings on dying are profound, touching on both the physical aspect of death and the spiritual significance of dying to oneself. Here are some relevant Bible verses and three main takeaways:

Relevant Bible Verses

1. John 12:24-25 (ESV)

• “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

1. Luke 9:23-24 (ESV)

• “And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'”

1. John 11:25-26 (ESV)

• “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?'”

Three Main Takeaways

1. The Necessity of Spiritual Death for Fruitful Life

• Jesus uses the metaphor of a grain of wheat to illustrate a profound spiritual truth: just as a seed must die to give birth to new life, so must we die to our selfish desires and earthly attachments to produce spiritual fruit. This “death” is not a physical one but a surrender of our will to God’s will.

1. The Call to Daily Self-Denial

• Following Jesus involves a daily commitment to deny oneself. This includes embracing sufferings, sacrifices, and challenges as part of our Christian walk. The paradoxical truth that by losing our lives for Christ’s sake, we actually find true life, underscores the value of eternal life over temporal pleasures.

1. The Promise of Eternal Life Through Belief in Christ

• Jesus proclaims that He is the source of both resurrection and life. Belief in Him not only guarantees eternal life beyond physical death but also transforms our living now. This assurance of life after death and the ongoing presence of Jesus in our lives provide comfort and hope, especially in the face of mortality.

In summary, Jesus’ teachings on dying emphasize the necessity of dying to self for spiritual growth, the call to daily self-denial, and the assurance of eternal life through faith in Him. These principles guide Christians in living a life that is not bound by the fear of death but is characterized by the freedom and joy of eternal life in Christ.