“More than hyperbole?”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Sunday, March 17, 2024
John 12:20-33 (Forward, p. 48) CEV p. 1118
Very often during His earthly discourses, Jesus used a figure of speech called ‘hyperbole’. This what you might call ‘gross exaggeration’ and is something Jesus used systematically to get His point across. For instance, when He spoke of the impossibility of a camel getting through the eye of a needle, He was exaggerating. He was using this image as a way of illustrating just how impossible it was for us to attain salvation by our own efforts (in this case, by the efforts—or the wealth—of a rich person). And likewise, when Jesus spoke of ‘hating’ our lives or ‘hating’ our parents, He was speaking only in relative terms. By way of contrast to our love for God, our feelings toward other people, must seem like ‘hatred.’
So, what about today’s warnings about the seed being planted in the ground and dying, or about being lifted (referring to a cross)? Were these just hyperboles as well? Or were they meant literally? Well, the image of a seed being planted, describes rather accurately what happened at Jesus’ death with His burial in a tomb. And, while a seed doesn’t ‘actually’ die, it does die in terms of its previous existence. And Jesus did indeed, truly and undeniably, and did so, simply for our sakes. It was no hyperbole, no gross exaggeration on His part. And likewise, His crucifixion, His being ‘lifted up’: it too was for real, no exaggeration at all. And likewise, this was entirely on our behalf.
So, then what about us? When Jesus spoke of our ‘giving up our lives in this world’, was He exaggerating, using yet another hyperbole, or was this too for real? Well, it all depends. At times throughout Christian history one’s faith in God, in Jesus Christ, was severely put to the test, and death was the consequence. (This happens all over the world even today.)
But then, ‘giving up our lives in this world’ more often has a less than literal application, one that applies to each and every one of us. It is a natural and very human tendency to put ourselves and our wishes and agendas first. Often, without even thinking about it, we put our personal aims and ambitions first, yes, even in the church. And often, we tenaciously hold on to our personal comfort, power and security, even when they do no good to ourselves and others, and may, in fact, be ineffectual and even counter-
productive and destructive. Sometimes there comes a time when we must die to all these things and priorities, and simply put ourselves at the disposal of Christ. Indeed, it is only in this loving service of God and others that we truly find life and wholeness. It is only in dying, dying to self, that we truly find life. Amen.
Forward notes: “They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus” (verse 21).
“Something about Jesus made people need to see him. Stories about Jesus spread throughout Galilee, Jerusalem, and beyond the Jordan. He proclaimed a new manner of life called the kingdom of God: a new vision for the world where all are blessed, beloved, and cherished. We see glimpses of this holy realm at certain moments in our life.
“Every Thanksgiving Day, most people in the United States are fed with abundance. After major tragedies, the public comforts those who mourn with layers of care and support. In times of natural disasters, relief organizations rush to the aid of those who suffer.
“Occasionally, we encounter the kingdom of God, but like the Greeks who spoke to Philip, we still wish to see Jesus. We long for more explanation. We dream about what the world might be like if everyone experienced the kingdom of God in the here and now. The key to this quest is Jesus. So, we keep looking for him. We, too, wish to see Jesus.”
Moving Forward: “Where and when do you see Jesus? Share your story with us at #ForwardDaybyDay.”