Resources/Articles
Planting A Disciple
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abideth by itself alone; but if it die, it beareth much fruit. He that liveth his life loseth it; and he that hatter his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will the Father honor."
John 12.24-26
This is the time of year when farmers and gardeners are planting seed for a harvest of crops of fruits and vegetables. Nature shows us the only way for glory to come form a garden or a farmer’s land is to plant the seed. Unless the corn, bean, or watermelon seed enters the earth, no harvest will come by July, August, or September. Seed has to die to reproduce. By means of warmth of the sun and rain from the heavens, signs of life come forth from the ground, more glorious than when the seed was planted (1 Corinthians 15.36-37,43). Left alone and unplanted, many plates on the tables of America would be empty.
Jesus stated in this text what a disciple would be. He used Himself and HIs impending betrayal and crucifixion to describe how His death, burial, and resurrection would be the way to glorify the Father. Unless He die, there would be no fruit for God.
Discipleship carries the same concept - dying to become. Dying seems such an unlikely road toward glory and life. That is why so many lose their lives. We love self; what self can do; where self can go; and how important self has become. Jesus says the real love of life comes from hating one’s own life in this world. It is not that you hate yourself to the point of suicide. It is loving less what you want and loving more what God wants for your to be - a disciple. The wealth our society receives in the form of wisdom, happiness, knowledge, progress, and morality does not come from the proud, wealthy, and those who care only for self. It comes from those who die to self and toil, endure, suffer, sacrifice, maintain control, and exercise patience.
We are forever indebted to Christ for showing us the way of being truly fruitful in life. HIs whole life was a death to self to serve and die for man. He knew the hour of glory was in death. Being a disciple requires no less than dying to our own way. It is a life of service, not bondage. A commitment to following that involves obedience to His commands (John 14.15), conforming to His character (Romans 8.29), and endurance of temptations and trials (James 1.2,4,12). The promises of being a disciple bring eternal life and honor from God (v. 26). It all begins with planting the seed.
