Greetings in Christ,
Have you ever wondered about the miracle of planting a seed? We plant seeds all the time. We plant a flower/vegetable garden almost every year, but do we stop and consider how that seed transforms into being so small to a large plant?
We take that seed with its hard exterior and we plant it in the ground. We water the seed, and we wait for it to germinate and begin break the surface of the dirt. The magic then begins to happen. As the water and dirt combination has its effect on the hard exterior of the seed it begins to soften, and the inside of the seed starts to swell. As the water begins to swell the inside of the seed it starts to form the plant it was designed to be. It forms its shoot as it pops out of the ground, and the main root begins to shoot straight into the ground. It is not long until the seed which was planted has formed the plant we desired to see grow. We step back and enjoy the benefits of the seed we have planted.
A seed will remain a seed for a long time. People freeze them to keep them for extended periods of time for safe keeping. The hard exterior helps to preserve the seed until it has the right combination which breaks or softens the exterior shell. The thing about a seed it will never transform beyond it being a seed until it is buried in the ground.
As miraculous as a seed emerging from the ground happens, it is also miraculous as a person gives up their life for Christ. It is not often thought of comparing a person to a seed, but it has its similarities. If we compare a person before they become a Christian, it is generally thought a person has a hard heart. This hard heart denotes living for themselves and wanting worldly desires, but when they decide to live for Jesus, they must bury themselves in Him. It is in the denial of their self and desire to be immersed in Jesus, and the right combination breaks or softens the hard exterior and life emerges out of the person-a new life. The harden person is transformed into something they were created to be.
Luke records Jesus as He was talking to the disciples. Jesus told them if anyone wishes to follow Me let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. Jesus spoke in the terms they knew and understood. It was known at that time when a person was condemned, they had to pick up their cross and carry it to the outside of town where they hung the guilty. Once that person picked up that cross there was no looking back. The only thing left for that person was to move forward in giving up their life on the cross. The key here is moving forward. When Jesus spoke those words, He knew what was in front of Him on His journey. He knew He had to keep moving forward.
Jesus was preparing the disciples for a life which would not be easy. It meant they had to look forward and not want to fall back into their previous life. In picking up their cross, the decision was made to not look back, but rather to keep moving forward totally immersing themselves in Jesus. They had to bury themselves in Jesus so He could break or soften their hard hearts. It was their decision to give up their desires to let Jesus have control of their lives, and by doing so they could be transformed having new life which they were created to live. The transformation process was a daily occurrence for the benefits of their new life to be enjoyed.
As wonderful it is for a seed to be planted, we sometimes take it for granted. We go outside and we move the dirt around placing the seed at its proper depth. We water it and wait for it to emerge from the ground, but there is something great happening inside that seed. All that seed wants to do is grow. It has all the genetic makeup and desire to bring forth new life. Once the dirt is covered over it and water begins to hydrate it the seed springs into action. It wants to pop out of the ground growing towards the sunlight and send its roots deep into the firm ground. It fights the dirt till it pops it head out and it pushes the dirt aside as it sends its tap root deep into the ground. It wants a new life. It wants to be transformed into something wonderful!
To deny ourselves and pick up our cross daily means we need to be totally immersed in Jesus never looking back. It means we must bury ourselves in Him letting Him cover us completely with His desires for us. It is only then the miracle begins to happen. The hard shell begins to break and soften, and the new life begins to emerge. Our desire should be growing towards the light of Jesus as we sink our roots firmly in His truth. Then Jesus can step back and see the benefits of the seed which has been planted.
“Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty expanse. Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. Praise Him with loud cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150
Lord may we have the desire to be totally immersed in You so You can bring forth life in us. Amen
Blessings,