"But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
As we bent down to check the progress of a newly planted seed I asked my 4 year old daughter, “do you know the seed must die before it can have fruit and blossom?”
Her responding question was simple, yet profound, “Why mommy? Why must it die?”
I paused. I exhaled, prayed and listened. Then I whispered,
“Because only God can raise the dead. Only God can cause something beautiful to come from something dead.”
During her nap I retreated with my Father to soak in the lesson from this morning about a dead seed. His word confirms what I shared with my daughter:
“…Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…”1 Corinthians 15:3-4
“For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. “John 12:24-26
It’s true. It’s true of the seed God has created for plants, and it’s true of the seed of His other creation…people.
We must put ourselves on His altar and die before we can bear fruit. We do it once at rebirth and continue to present ourselves as living and holy sacrifices, acceptable to God each day. How do we do this? It can look different for each person but do not compare because it’s only for God’s purpose and for His viewing.
Search your own heart…
Have you put yourself on God’s altar? Does the Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead live in you enabling you to bear much fruit? Do you care that others don’t see ‘your’ sacrifices?
I’m praying for us. Praying we have died with Jesus Christ and are living by faith through the power of Holy Spirit blossoming where He has placed us.
“Therefore I ur
ge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Romans 12:1
“But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?” You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies; and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body just as He wished, and to each of the seeds a body of its own.” 1 Corinthians 15:35-38
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.” Romans 8:11
Altar of Heaven 
March 22nd, 2012 at 9:26 pm
Beautiful words filled with wisdom. I loved the pictures of your precious children and what a perfect answer you gave to explain why a seed must die. To God be the glory!
Joy
LikeLike
March 23rd, 2012 at 2:51 am
Thank you Joy, and amen– to God be the glory!!
LikeLike
March 26th, 2012 at 11:20 am
This is a beautiful analogy, and it really inspires me. Am I blossoming where I’m planted? Am I remaining in fruitlessness rather than becoming alive and growing in righteousness?
Beautiful thoughts from your daughter’s questioning. Yes, it does seem like a sad thing that something must die – but it’s true – it has to in order for God to do his beautiful, raising work.
I love your anointed writing, thank you.
LikeLike
March 27th, 2012 at 1:53 am
One thing I can say about you is based on the blog God has entrusted you with, you are blossoming and bearing fruit. I am encouraged by you, thank you!
LikeLike
March 27th, 2012 at 2:35 am
Wow, thank you! Such an encouragement you are.
LikeLike
March 29th, 2012 at 4:04 am
These are some treasured, spirit-inspired words! I love you and thank you for stressing the importance of: “How do we do this? It can look different for each person but do not compare because it’s only for God’s purpose and for His viewing.”
LikeLike
April 2nd, 2012 at 3:32 pm
My God given friend. Praying God gives me words for you to know how thankful I am for you…thank you for your encouragement and prayers. He sees us 🙂
LikeLike
April 2nd, 2012 at 3:43 am
Arcelia, I am struck by the scripture you quote, all the words pointing to the Life that only comes through death, and then your beautiful wisdom and gentle, loving encouragement for us not to miss out on anything, all this goodness and new Life He — only He — has. You are just beautiful — such a giver of joy and hope yourself, through Him. How you shine! Thank you and bless you!
LikeLike
April 2nd, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Thank you Jennifer, may God continue to bless you too! May we continue to glorify Him together!!
LikeLike
May 6th, 2012 at 4:49 am
Even though we call the seed dead a little life is still there, it just needs water(the Spirit) to split the hard starch (the stored Word of God) and let it grow.
LikeLike
May 17th, 2012 at 2:51 am
Yes and Amen! I was born physically alive and spiritually dead and I’m thankful I was made alive by the power of His Holy Spirit by His grace!!!
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:1-10
LikeLike
September 2nd, 2012 at 6:21 am
[…] It is by God’s Holy Spirit I am equipped to deny myself daily…whether it is leaving a job I enjoy, canceling ‘alone’ time because a friend is in need or pause my writing even at the climax of completion because a child wants a drink of water–His Spirit empowers me to do what He’s asked of me. I have learned the Spirit must come before the fruit. […]
LikeLike
September 14th, 2012 at 11:03 pm
[…] is having a hard time growing but one day Someone would lift it and you will blossom.” Well, that Someone is Jesus Christ! You are free sweet one, your faith has healed you—now go and tell […]
LikeLike