A seed alone

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. (John 12:24-26)

A kernel of wheat is planted and dies. That doesn't actually present a picture of a bountiful harvest, does it? Or maybe it does, because in dying, the seed actually brings forth an abundance of wheat. We might interpret this passage as a 'dud' seed being planted that really doesn't do what it is supposed to do, but Jesus makes it clear that in dying, the seed actually becomes 'fruitful'. There is much to be said about sacrificially laying down one's life for the betterment of another, but there was no greater 'fruitful' action than that of Jesus' death. Something we might not think about too often is just how willing we might be to actually let go of what we desire in order to see a greater purpose fulfilled through our lives.

Whenever we surrender our 'old selves' to the work of Christ within us, we are actually allowing 'old seed' to die off and new seed to take its place. We are embracing change when we embrace his 'seed' of new life. Death doesn't have to be an end; it can be a new beginning. As his life is embraced, our old ways of thinking and acting begin to change - the new beginning. Jesus spoke of service right along with this new seed being planted. The fruitfulness within our lives is frequently best seen when we are in service to others. You see, Christ wasn't afraid to call out his disciples, pointing out that if they wanted to truly follow him, they would be willing to lay down this world's agenda and take up his.

Something we might miss in this passage is the fact that one seed can 'remain alone'. It is a choice to surrender to the process of growth and fruitfulness. We can choose to remain inwardly focused, always attending to our own needs and desires, or we can look outward, observing the needs of those around us, and lay down our selfish passion to focus on self alone. When we do, we begin to see the fruit of his work within us ministering to the needs of others, bringing hope, joy, compassion, and love where it is most desperately needed. Just sayin!