The root word of seed is also the root word of offspring, ‘Sperma’. It is a spiritual law as established by God that every seed planted will produce a harvest/offspring (Gen. 8:22). The implication of this is that there was an eternal potency placed in seeds with the ability to reproduce itself many times over once God pronounced it. This is consistent even with the act of God and the result it brought to humanity. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son (sowed the seed of the word into the earth through His son) that whosoever believed in Him shall not perish (shall not make a perpetual habit of sin leading to death) but have eternal life. So Jesus was and still is an embodiment of the word of God (eternal life John 1:4) whom was sown into the earth so that dead world could receive life, thus producing a harvest (Christians). Jesus spoke of this when the time had come for the son of man to be glorified “listen carefully; unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat, but if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over.” (Jhn. 12: 22-24), thus He spoke of himself.
Now, we see that the word through Jesus, has been lifted up from the earth and has invited all men to be drawn unto Him (Jhn. 12: 32), but why aren’t all men saved? Jesus explained this saying; “What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel, it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds. Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.” (Matt. 13: 3-8), and gave a concise explanation stating that the hard ground of the patch pictures those who hear the message, but choose not to receive it. Then lest they should finally grasp it and believe and be saved, Satan comes and withdraws their attention from what they’ve heard. The persons who are represented by the gravel are those who immediately celebrate an encounter with an authentic communicator of God. But their joy is short-lived because they do not open their inner being to the presentation of the Spirit, and soon the surface encounter withers. The weedy patch portrays those who also heat and accept the message. These persons’ minds are full of worldly care. They are occupied with their money, and their pleasures, so that their spiritual aspirations are stifled and their lives grow no better.
Thus, we see that the condition of our hearts as well as our response to the word determines the effectuation of the potential of the word in their lives. We see that there is a place of receiving the seed of the word (which is by believing in Jesus), and submission to the dealings of the Holy Spirit which gives access to the harvest of the seed as promised by God.
Finally, it is important to note that even after the receipt of the seed of the word, there is a place of growth which is expressed best as continual, consistent daily fellowship with the Holy Spirit who builds you up to spiritual maturity, where your capacity will be large enough for people to pitch their tents with you in Christ Jesus. This was what Jesus meant when He said, “How can I picture God’s kingdom for you? What kind of story can I use? Its like a pine nut that a man plants in his front yard. It grows into a huge pine tree with thick branches, and eagles build nests in it.” (Luke 13 18-19).
Grace and Peace Multiplied
Gbolagunte Oladotun
