From Death to Life

John 12:23-26 (NIV)

23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, 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. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

John 15:1-4 (NIV)

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

You might’ve heard—I’ve got new music on May 30th! I didn’t intend to musically disappear for seven years (my last album was in 2018), but here we are. Looking back, I believe God led me into a kind of musical desert. It was a season where certain things in me needed to die.

Somewhere along the way, I started letting my musical accomplishments define me. I was getting my validation and identity from what I did, not who I was in God. But the thing is, success is never enough—it fades. It can't fill the God-sized vacuum in our hearts.

So, in His kindness, God buried me like a seed—hidden for a while—so He could work on my heart and character. Now, I pray I never have opportunities or success that surpass my character.

Inner transformation can be painful. Letting go of pride, envy, and selfishness feels like a little death. But it’s actually the way to real life—the kind that bears lasting fruit for God’s Kingdom.

Jesus talked about this too. He said,

“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.” (John 12:24)

Jesus literally lived this out. He died to pay the price for everything we’ve ever done wrong (or will do), and He rose again—proving He has power over death and the right to offer us new life with God.

What a hope we have in Jesus—the One who brings life from death.

Reflection: Have I ever experienced a “desert” season that God used for transformation? How does the death and resurrection of Jesus bring me hope in this current season?

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LYRICS

Resurrecting

By Elevation Worship

Written by Mack Brock, Wade Joye, Steven Furtick

Verse 1:

The head that once was crowned with thorns

Is crowned with glory now

The Savior knelt to wash our feet

Now at His feet we bow

The One Who wore our sin and shame

Now robed in majesty

The radiance of perfect love

Now shines for all to see

Chorus:

Your Name, Your Name Is Victory

All praise will rise to Christ our King

Your Name, Your Name Is Victory

All praise will rise to Christ our King

Verse 2:

The fear that held us now gives way

To Him Who is our peace

His final breath upon the cross

Is now alive in me

Chorus

Bridge:

By Your Spirit I will rise from the ashes of defeat

The resurrected King is resurrecting me

In Your Name I come alive to declare Your victory

The resurrected King is resurrecting me

(x3)

Verse 3:

The tomb where soldiers watched in vain

Was borrowed for three days

His body there would not remain

Our God has robbed the grave

Our God has robbed the grave

Chorus

Bridge (x3)