"Mum, why did that man say that Jesus was a potato?" So asked the three-year old girl.
Did I say that? Well, not exactly. But it was something like this:
We were looking, a few weeks back, at John 12:23-33 during our all-age service. Jesus has been approached by some Greeks (who were not Jews) who asked his disciples if they could have the chance to meet Jesus, too. Here's what Jesus said in reply:
"Very truly I tell you, unless a grain 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)
I wanted something to illustrate this. I didn't have any wheat, and it's too small anyway. I couldn't use any kind of stone-fruit (like a nectarine) or any kind of fruit with pips (like an apple or a pear) because you eat the fruit around the seed(s), and then throw the seed away. Notwithstanding that fruit trees need grafting and don't really grow from seed, you could "have your fruit and eat it". I thought about nuts next. You plant the same bit that you eat. But children have nut allergies, so handling nuts may not be the smartest idea, and they're also a bit small.
So I went for potatoes. Yes, this led to all kinds of interesting discussions afterwards about blight. But the point basically stands - for any given potato, you can either eat it, or you can plant it. You can't do both. If you want the potato to grow lots of potatos so you can feed a family or two, you have to say goodbye to that potato. You can't turn it into chips.
Jesus then applies this principle to two people.
Jesus
First, he applies it to himself:
"‘Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour”? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!’
…
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. " (John 12:27-33)
Jesus is like that potato. (See, I came dangerously close to saying what I was quoted to have said). The Greeks want to get to know Jesus. There's only one way that can happen. He must die. Like the potato, he must be placed in the ground. He must be lifted up from the earth, denoting his crucifixion (amongst other allusions). Only then can those of every nation come to know him.
Christians
Second, he applies it to Christians — to those who would follow him, whatever race they're from.
"Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life." (John 12:25)
If you or I would follow Jesus, the only way for us to do so is to become like the potato. If we try to keep a hold on life on our own terms, we will end up losing everything. But if, like a potato (or, if you must, a walnut) we die to ourselves, to our right to determine our own lives and destinies — if we are placed into the ground as Jesus was — then we get to have eternal life, which is to have a life we can keep for all eternity.
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