A KERNEL OF WHEAT by G. T. Wilson

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 19, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 20.

“A KERNEL OF WHEAT.”

By G. T. Wilson

“VERILY, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” John 12:24, 25.

So long as the kernel remains alone, and the necessary conditions of soil, heat, and moisture are not supplied to produce the new growth, the kernel remains but a single grain. But when placed where these conditions are furnished, the life in the kernel manifests itself in a new growth. But this new growth is taking the life out of the dying kernel, whose elements are being absorbed into it. In a few weeks from the time the seed has sprouted, there is nothing left of the seed kernel but the outer coat, which hangs to the rootlets of the new plant. Now comes a struggle for further existence. The kernel has died to furnish life for the new growth; that growth must now be maintained by the roots striking down into the soil, and taking the elements for its further development, from the soil, air, and sunshine. While this change is going-on, the ends of the leaves which had appeared so green, look yellow and sickly. And if the proper elements are not secured where it is, its growth ceases. If the material is found for its further growth, it soon springs up with new life and greater beauty than ever before. The stalk produces the tender corn in the ear, and develops into the ripened grain, multiplied many fold.

To the inexperienced observer, the ripening grain, with its dead leaves, stiff stalk, and drooping head, may appear unattractive, and of little value. But not so to the husbandman. He knows that this outward appearance indicates the completion of a process which fits it for his use.

May we not draw from this a spiritual lesson? God has used it for this purpose in His Word. The seed is the Word of God. Luke 8:11. “Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth,” “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23. The Word has life in it. It does not manifest itself unless this living seed has the proper conditions for its growth supplied. In the dry, hard soil of the human heart, the Word of God may be retained for years without any manifestation of spiritual life. This is no more strange than that wheat should retain its life for years, because the conditions for its growth are not supplied. But when this wheat has been taken out and planted in proper soil, a growth has sprung up in a few weeks which has developed into wheat. The life was in the wheat all those years that it lay dormant, but it did not grow, because circumstances would not permit it to do so.

In the same way the Word of God has been kept for years from manifesting its living power, because those who hold it do not break up the fallow ground of their hearts, and let the sunlight of heaven, with the dews of divine grace, prepare the soil for it to grow. So the Lord pleads, “Break up your fallow ground, sow not among thorns.” Jer. 4:3. “For it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12.

In these words we see that the Lord shows the importance of having the seed supplied with proper conditions of soil and moisture.

As we found in the growth of the kernel of wheat, so will we find in the development of the seed of truth. The new life that is started by that one seed, may manifest considerable vigor for a time, but for the further life and strength of that new growth, the spiritual roots must strike deeper, and this growth must take on additional nourishment found not in itself. This must come from Him who put life in the seed. The Spirit of God is therefore necessary. Showers of the water of life must daily fall upon the soil, keeping it mellow and furnishing this new growth with the elements necessary to the development of fruit.

Laying aside the figure, we can not live always on our first Christian experience; if we attempt this, we will become sickly and present a stunted growth, not developing the grain that God designs should appear. We must let our roots reach down and take hold on the life of God, drawing from Him daily nourishment through His Word, and constant prayer.

“Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.” Now is the time to pray for the latter rain, that will mature the grain for the heavenly garner. As the ripened grain, with its dead leaves, dry stalk, and drooping head, appears unattractive to those who know not where its value lies, so the Christian, as he ripens up for the heavenly garner, with his head bowed with true humility, caring naught for the vain things of this life, will appear unattractive in the eyes of the world. But the true Husbandman knows his value. G. T. WILSON.

Sydney, Australia.