OCT 02
October 2.
"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces a large crop." John 12:24
Jesus was a very wise teacher. He did not use fine illustrations which the common people would not understand—but took those whose meaning would be plain to them. He pointed to the lilies, to the birds, to leaves, to vines, to the hen and her chicks, and other familiar things.
The illustration here from nature is very simple. The farmer who would keep his wheat in the dry, safe granary, because if it were sown in the field—it would rot and die, would make a very foolish mistake. The only proper thing to do with the grain which the farmer wishes to preserve and take care of in the best way, is to sow it in the ground. True, that seems to be wasting it, losing it, throwing it away. But it is thus it is made to increase. It has to die—to live. This is the law of life.
Our Lord meant here that the only way for him to be glorified—was by giving his life. He could have saved himself from his cross; his sacrifice was voluntary. But suppose he had saved himself—what would have been the result? He would have missed the suffering; but souls would not have been saved, no church would now be praising his name. But in dying, he made blessing for the world. From the one precious seed let fall into the ground on Calvary, has sprung a glorious harvest, whose full fruitage will not be known until all the redeemed are gathered home!