Buried and Bursting. March 29, 2026. Pastor Greg Rathke. Sermon Audio

Jesus has made his triumphant return to Jerusalem.  Now what?  Well, he begins teaching again, except this time, he has quite an audience.  Jerusalem is filled with visitors for the upcoming Passover Feast.  It’s an annual celebration.  But since Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, things have ramped up.  People are paying close attention to what Jesus is saying, more than ever.  Some are listening to Him because they are hoping that indeed He is the promised Messiah.  Many are listening to Him for evidence He should be arrested and put to death.  

Then he says this: “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” His death and burial and ultimately, His own resurrection are all being foretold.  They all are necessary for glorification to occur.  A glorification we too will experience when Jesus raises us from the dead. 

• Isaiah 50:4–9a
• Philippians 2:5–11
• John 12:20-36