March 21
Bible Reading: John 12:20-36
John 12:24-25, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
Jim Elliot grew up in Portland, Oregon. The child of devoted Christians, he attended church where he heard from visiting missionaries about serving Christ in faraway places. It saddened him that people in other countries died without knowing about Jesus, so he dreamed of being a missionary himself someday.
In February of 1952, Jim Elliot waved goodbye to his parents and boarded a ship for the 18-day trip from California to Quito, Ecuador. Jim and his companions were determined to bring the gospel to the uncivilized Auca Indians. It was a dangerous undertaking, given that the Aucas had killed all the outsiders ever caught in their area.
After three years of language learning and other preparations, they found a beach on which to land a plane where they hoped to meet with tribe members. After an initial contact, they waited for two days for other Aucas to return. Finally, two Auca women walked out of the jungle, but they did not appear friendly. Then a group of Auca warriors approached with spears raised. Within seconds, the warriors threw their spears, killing all the missionaries: Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, Nate Saint, Pete Fleming, and Jim Elliot.
News quickly spread around the world. Life magazine published a ten-page article on Elliot’s and his friends’ mission and deaths. But that wasn’t the end of the story. In less than two years, Jim’s wife, Elisabeth, and Rachel Saint (Nate Saint’s sister) were able to move into the Auca village. Steve Saint continued in ministry there for many years. Many Aucas became Christians, and they are now a friendly tribe.
Jim Elliot once famously said, “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” He gave his life in serving Jesus, but He gained a lasting legacy in his faithful service of the Lord. He was a grain of seed that fell to the earth and died, but in dying he bore much fruit. Just like Jesus. What sacrifice can you make in serving Jesus, that others might come to know the truth?
“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”—Jim Elliot
ONLY ONE LIFE
Only one life to offer – Jesus, my Lord and King;
Only on tongue to praise Thee And of Thy mercy sing (forever);
Only one heart’s devotion – Savior, O may it be
Consecrated alone to Thy matchless glory,
Yielded fully to Thee.
Only this hour is mine, Lord – May it be used for Thee;
May ev’ry passing moment Count for eternity (my Saviour);
Souls all about are dying, Dying in sin and shame;
Help me bring them the message of Calv’ry’s redemption
In Thy glorious name.
Only one life to offer – Take it, dear Lord, I pray;
Nothing from Thee withholding, Thy will I now obey (my Jesus);
Thou who hast freely given Thine all in all for me,
Claim this life for Thine own, to be used, my Saviour,
Ev’ry moment for Thee.
LookingtoJesus 