He shall be great to the ends of the earth.  Micah 5:4  

Jesus said, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.  John 12:24  

We know God is great;  in Micah 5:4 we hear about one who will be great to the ends of the earth. Who is he? Since a few verses earlier it talks about someone coming from Bethlehem, and goes on to say this person will be a shepherd to his flock (the people of Israel) and they will have peace we interpret this as referring to the coming Messiah, Jesus.  

Then in John we read Jesus’ words, spoken just before the events of Holy Week and Easter. He tries to tell the disciples that He must die in order to fulfill his work on earth. In the words of one commentary he basically says that his death is necessary for the successful completion of His work. For the victorious development of His work. The disciples must have been confused, yet again. How can the great Messiah we have waited for die? That can’t be right.  

Many of us have purchased seeds to plant in the ground this spring or to start in pots in our houses. They come in nice little packages, with pictures of beautiful flowers, or produce, on the front. How many of us forget and leave them in the package and don’t get them planted? That doesn’t work very well. Seeds need to be planted into proper soil, and cared for, to get lots more of the plants and more seeds to continue. The commentary continues saying the life of the “corn” or seed which has not gotten into soil is limited and bound only to itself. There is no possibility of life issuing from it. But planted and dying life can burst forth and its death brings forth much fruit. “Thus, also, with Christ; it is through His death that there first comes upon all peoples and times the rich blessing which is destined for the world.”* Our response? Micah 6:* summarizes it well: “And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  

We are now about to begin the days preceding Easter where we take time to remember what Christ did for us. To remember the Passion story. Then, it’s Easter! We can all rejoice in the resurrection of our Savior.   

Holy Lord, your greatness comes at the cost of taking the fall for us.  Father God, you are the great “I AM” who has given us your son to show us the attitude of sacrificial love—to do justice, love mercy, and walk ever so humbly before you. Amen.  

Chris Gabel

*Meyer’s NT Commentary 

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