PPic: Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006

PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

Study 39–December 17th to 23rd 2007.
Reading – John Chapter Ch12: verses 20 to 26.

Jesus - Jesus – Turning Death Into Life

“Jesus said,” The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless an ear of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me. Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” John Chapter 12: verses 23 to 28. (New International Version)

In professional golf there is a constant stream of players who for various reasons give the game away. Poor form, missing home, family commitments, lack of money, no longer having the drive, not being able to keep up with the pace of younger players are some of the main reasons. For these players it takes time to rebuild their life finding new ways to make a living. Likewise when players retire, adjusting to being away from the action and attention takes time and effort.

As challenging as the above is, it pails into insignificance when you know that in the near future your life will come to an end. I can still recall vividly being with a young family as they waited for their father (a PGA member) to die from cancer. The pain is unbearable. Death awaits each of us, its impact being different for each of us.

In our reading today, there were some Greeks who wanted to see Jesus, but for Jesus his public ministry has come to an end as he informs his friends that now is the time when he will be put to death. Hardly good news, but Jesus, while wishing there was some way of avoiding his arrest and crucifixion, understands his death as God’s will and sees this as the way that he will be glorified and produce a great harvest.

This is what makes Jesus’ death unique. While some can and have died for others or a nation or a cause, Jesus dies to rob death of its power and control over life. His death will give a new and different life to all who turn to him.
Death was unable to hold Jesus in its power. Since death received its life from our sin, Jesus overcame this by being sinless and dying in our place. Once he had paid this penalty, he rose from the dead, never to die again. This is the incredible, wonderful and unique mystery that Jesus reveals to all who believe. While his miracles and great teaching show Jesus to be God’s Son and reveal his glory, it is his death and rising again that is the main purpose of his coming.

How do we grab a hold of this gift? By surrendering our life to God. By dying to ourselves like Jesus did and giving ourselves to God we can understand and experience God’s way of life. As Jesus says so clearly, those who love and their life for themselves will eventually lose their life. Without such a change of direction and commitment to Jesus, we are only playing games with God, and being fooled by our own religiosity.
Jesus turns our world upside down by destroying and overcoming death and giving his victory to all who believe. 

Prayer.  Thank you God that Jesus dying has produced a great harvest, for all who believe. As we celebrate your birth into this world, help us to appreciate why you came, to rescue us from sin and death that we are powerless to defeat. Amen

Upcoming Events

Click event for more details.

Wyong Trainee Pro-Am.

Venue: Wyong Golf Cub
Date: Monday 17th November.
Cost: $50
Tee Time: 7:30am and
12 noon shotgun start.
Contact: Graham on 02 9740 9069
or email.

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