(Gospel: Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.
“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say?
‘Father, save me from this hour’?
But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.
Father, glorify your name.” John 12:20-33)
***
In my time at Mount Virgin, I have preached on Disney movies like Coco, Frozen, and Beauty and the Beast. But today I’d like to go a little more old school. Who’s heard of the classic movie series, Rocky, staring Sylvester Stallone?
The four-part series tells the story of Rocky Balboa, an amateur boxer from Philadelphia, who becomes the reigning world heavyweight champion.
In the fourth and final movie, Rocky leaves his boxing career behind until his friend, Apollo Creed, is killed in a boxing match against a brutal Soviet boxer named Ivan Drago.
Risking everything, Rocky returns to the ring for the fight of his life. He wants to take on Drago himself. But if he’s going to win, then Rocky must give up all worldly comforts, training his mind and body for combat.
Drago is doing the same.
Every moment counts.
***
In a similar way, Jesus has been preparing himself for the fight of his life. But his opponent is even stronger; it’s the devil himself. Now Jesus is ready to enter Jerusalem, where he will be put on trial, crowned with thorns, and nailed to a cross.
For a brief moment in time, it will look like a total knock out, as if the devil has won.
But Jesus warns his disciples not to be fooled. He must die before he can rise again.
As he says in the Gospel, “It is for this purpose that I came” (John 12:27). He came to save us from that sting of everlasting death.
In fact, he’s spent the last three years of his life preparing his disciples for this truth. They’ve watched him preach and win over crowds, cast out demons, heal the sick, and forgive those caught in sin.
And now the hour has come for him to perform his greatest miracle of all. Jesus will be driven into the ground like a grain of wheat; and three days later, he will rise.
He urges his disciples to see that the same thing will happen to them. One day they, too, will be driven into the ground like a grain of wheat; they, too, will die. But if they remain faithful to him, then they will be raised from the dead, just like Jesus.
All he asks of them is to use the time they have left wisely and spread the Good News. They must die to themselves, even in small ways, offering their lives for the good of others.
So must we.
***
Am I satisfied with the way I’ve lived my life?
Like Jesus, have I prepared myself for the “hour” of my death?
Or do I need to make some changes?
***
Do I need to let go of that grudge or forgive someone who’s hurt me?
Should I pray more, study my faith, and share that faith more openly with others?
Should I spend more quality time with my family and friends and less time at work, less time playing video games, or less time on Facebook and social media?
Or, even more simply, can I die to myself in little ways by being quicker to return phone calls, text messages, emails, and writing thank you notes?
How can I use my time on earth wisely, for the benefit of others? It is limited, after all.
***
Jesus lived his life with purpose. He made each day count.
He served. He healed. He forgave. He laughed. He loved.
And so must we.