The Paradox : A grain of wheatTalk (1)

A grain of Wheat

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and

dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much

grain. Jn 12:24

Met. Kallistos WareThe Inner Kingdom

You will remain dead

as far as

you refuse to die

Treasure in Earthen Vessels

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the

excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We

are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are

perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Cor 4:7-9

The Life of Jesus ….!!!

10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord

Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’

sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal

flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you. 2

Cor 4:10-12

Joy despised shame

 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy

that was set before Him endured the cross,

despising the shame, and has sat down at the right

hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2

Death leads to Exaltation

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the

point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God

also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, Phil 2:8,9

Awarness

27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I

say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Jn 12:27,28

Appointed to this

3 that no one should be shaken by these

afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to

this. 1 Thes 3:3

St Ephraim the Syrian

Glory to you , You who set your Cross

a bridge over death, for souls to

cross from the dwelling of death

to that of life

His glory was to come to Him through shame

23 But Jesus answered them,

saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should

be glorified. Jn 12:23

Case Study : St Paul

His Work in him16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your

sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:16,17

Equiping Him12 “Then a certain Ananias, a devout

man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 13 came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. 14 Then he

said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. Acts 22:12-

14

His Mission For him17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to

whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them

from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among

those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:17-18

St Cyril of Jerusalem

Every action of Christ glorifies the Church, but the Cross is the Glory above all Glory… The Glory

of the Cross, by contrast, has enlightened all those who were blinded by ignorance. It has set

free all those who were slaves of sin. It has redeemed the whole

human Race. Let us glorify in the cross of the savior..