Seed
Seedless oranges, seedless grapes-we would prefer not to pick specks out
of our teeth when we're eating our favorite fruit. But we would all go
hungry without those seeds. When the farmer pushes them deep into the
dark dirt, they miraculously come apart and sprouts of new life push into
the sunshine. Like these seedlings, we have to first die to ourselves
before we can be productive as Christians. This means that our wants,
dreams and desires are set aside for what God wants to do with our lives.
Sounds
impossible, doesn't it, that God could use one little life for such a
big goal? While Jesus was living on the earth, the mustard seed was the
smallest seed used by farmers. Surprisingly, this small seed grew into
a large tree (see Tree). Jesus said that if we have even the smallest
amount of faith (see Faith), even faith the size of a mustard seed, then
large things can be accomplished. And through these small actions, the
kingdom of heaven will grow.
God
created plants to reproduce by bearing seeds, and he gave these plants
to Adam and Eve for food.
Genesis 1:11-12,29-30
Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven and faith to a mustard seed-something
incredibly small that produces big results.
Matthew 13:313-32; 17:20
Mark 4:31
Luke 13:19; 17:6
1 Corinthians 3:6; 9:11
Jesus Christ uses seeds as a picture of different kinds of faith.
Matthew 13:3-23
Mark 4:31
Luke 8:5-15
We are like seeds: to produce life, we must first die.
John 12:24-24
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