24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
John 12:24
Bottom line: The scars of life are for our spiritual benefit.
Teaching
The Bible teaches us about various principles that govern the earthly realm, among which is the principle of seed time and harvest time.
22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Genesis 8:22
We are very much acquainted with the knowledge that if we want a harvest, we must sow a seed. But often times we forget that there is a process that a seed has to go through before it can yield it’s harvest. Our proof text shows us.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
John 12:24
There are two things that must happen to every seed before it produces its harvest.
- The seed must die because no living seed can produce a harvest
- The dead seed must be scared. The harvest of the seed is within the seed, so the seed coating must be scared so that the harvest can be released.
The Bible then makes us understand that God had to follow this principle so that the New Testament Church can be birth forth.
First, the Bible describes Jesus as the seed of Abraham.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Galatians 3:16
The Bible also teaches us that Jesus Christ was the only one found worthy to take away the sins of humanity.
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot
1 Peter 1:18-19
Locked in the body of Jesus was the salvation of the world. Jesus knew that for this salvation to be released, two things had to happen to him.
i. He had to die.
22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
Luke 9:22
ii. His fresh had to be bruised for the church to be born.
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1 Corinthians 11:24
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions,
Isaiah 53:5
he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him;
and with his stripes we are healed.
34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
John 19:34
There is a church today because Jesus, the seed of Abraham accepted to lay his life down and be bruised for our sake. Hallelujah!
Today, as Christians, we tend to complain when we go through diverse trials and hard times. Sometimes we question God and wonder if he really is hearing us when we pray to him. I want you to know that trials, tribulations, and hard times are a natural process a Christian must go through. God allows them to come to us so that they can scar us for the release of the mighty harvest hidden within us. James the Apostle puts it this way:
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
James 1:2-3
Remember God never promised that hard times will not come, he rather said that he will be with us as we go through it. King David understood this.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
Psalms 23:4
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Cheer up because after the rain, comes the sunshine. That season of trial came to pass, it didn’t come to stay. Jesus went through what you are going through and had victory at the end. His spirit lives in you. You too shall be victorious. Hold unto God’s word till the end and experience your next level today in Jesus’ name. Amen!
Further Study
- Romans 5:3-4 [And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope:]
- Galatians 6:17 [From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.]
Reflection
- Have you ever faced hard times before?
- How did you feel about God during these moments of hardship?
Prayer
Lord, I thank you because I know you have made me a victor over all the battles I shall face in life. Thank you for being with me throughout my past battles. I pray your strength be revealed in me in times of weakness in Jesus’ name. Amen.
