I was reminded of the Jabez cry this morning as I read the morning office. (1 Chronicles 4:9-10 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.) was the morning Old Testament reading. As I viewed this verse along with the designated New Testament reading, I was intrigued by the different messages. The NT reading was John 12:24
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
The poor kernel of wheat. It must suffer the pain of death if it is going to accomplish what it was created for. I understand it may not be a fair comparison and I don’t discount the millions who prayed the Jabez prayer faithfully. But to accomplish the greatest may cause the greatest suffering. Didn’t Jesus pray sort of the same prayer in the garden?
Just a thought……
