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. (Jn 12:24-26)
A grain of wheat should fall to the ground and die. It has to get decayed. The grain has to lose it identity. Only then the wheat will bear fruit. Losing of the self and ones own identity is essential to be fruitful. One does not become fruitful by self assertion or self fulfillment or self realization. Falling to the ground and losing oneself is the only way for the success.
The same is true for life as well. If one wants to save life or preserve life will lose it for definite. The only way to eternal life is by self denial and losing and hating of this earthly life. It is said “hates his life on earth”. Life on earth is not to be preserved on earth. Life on earth is only a way to eternal life. It should lead to eternal life. It happens only when this is lost.
Model for this is Jesus himself. Anyone who wants to be a follower should be like Jesus himself. He should walk the same way which Jesus has walked and he should meet the same end which Jesus has met. Only them there is honour form the father. Life of the servant should be like that of the master.
