Rise up From Mistakes

Jesus talked about His death, saying, "Unless a piece of wheat dies, it's just a piece of wheat. But if it dies - if it's harvested and made into food - it helps many people. I'm worried about dying, but that's why I came into the world. When I'm lifted up to heaven, I'll pull everyone on earth closer to me."

Every kid disappoints their parents sometimes. "This isn't like you," your mother says, shaking her head over the way you bullied another kid, told your little brother you don't love him, or spent all the money you promised you were saving.
Then you feel awful: You are a good person, but your actions didn't show it. You're better than what you did. 

In a way, this week's Gospel (John 12:20-33) covers that problem. Jesus, who is soon going to die to save the world, talks about wheat - but He's really talking about Himself.
Growing in a field, wheat just looks like a plant. But it becomes the flour that's used to make bread, cereal, pasta and more. 

Jesus said it was the same for Him: He taught many people about God, and that was helpful. But He knew He was soon going to be crucified. Then the whole world would know about Him. By sacrificing Himself, He would be able to save the whole world. That's better, even, than all the good He was able to do on earth!

You can be like that, too, by apologizing for whatever mistake you made. You can be like wheat that's cut down, or like Jesus who was crucified: lowering yourself to rise up and become better.

The best part is that, as Jesus said, you can pull other people up with you. By seeing that a good kid can struggle but get over a mistake, other kids can learn from your example. You really are better than your mistakes!

(03/26/09)