The Grain of Wheat

The Grain of Wheat [∞]

In ▸ ± John 12:23-▸ ± John 12:24, Jesus speaks of His coming death in terms of a seed that must die in order to produce a greater harvest. Here's the passage:

   "Jesus replied, 'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.'" (▸ ± John 12:23-▸ ± John 12:24)

Interpreting as a Picture of Christ

1. The Seed Represents Christ

   The seed in this passage is a direct metaphor for Christ Himself. Jesus is speaking of His impending death on the cross, where He will lay down His life to bring about the redemption of humanity. Just as a seed must die and be buried in the ground to produce new life, so too must Christ die to bring forth spiritual life for many.

2. Death as the Path to Life

   The idea that the seed must die to bring forth new life parallels Christ's sacrificial death. Christ's death is not the end, but rather the beginning of something greater. Just as the seed’s death leads to a harvest of many seeds, Christ’s death on the cross results in the salvation of many people, bringing forth the fruit of eternal life.

3. Fulfillment of the Promise in ▸ ± Genesis 3:15

   ▸ ± Genesis 3:15 is often called the protoevangelium or the "first gospel" because it contains God's promise of redemption after the fall of man:

   "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." (▸ ± Genesis 3:15)

   In this verse, the seed of the woman is a reference to Christ, who would come to destroy the work of Satan (the serpent). The striking of the heel represents Christ’s suffering and death, while the crushing of the serpent’s head refers to Christ’s victory over sin and death through His resurrection.

   ▸ ± John 12:24 shows how Christ, as the seed, must die to fulfill the promise of ▸ ± Genesis 3:15. Through His death, Christ defeats Satan (the serpent), and His resurrection brings forth life for all who believe, multiplying the seeds (the believers) who are now united with Christ.

Summary

In ▸ ± John 12:23-▸ ± John 12:24, Jesus uses the metaphor of the seed dying and bearing fruit to speak of His death and its purpose. His death will bring forth a spiritual harvest of souls, just as the seed produces new life after it dies. This connects with the promise made in ▸ ± Genesis 3:15, where the seed of the woman (Christ) would defeat the serpent (Satan) and bring salvation to humanity. Christ’s death is the necessary step in fulfilling this promise, and through His resurrection, He multiplies the fruit of salvation—those who will be united with Him in eternal life.