From Our Church Newsletter, Pre-Easter Edition.
I plan on posting the next one as soon as I wirte it.
Just about a hundred years ago on a small farm in the Midwest of the United States, there was a stubborn little grain that had an independent mind and a hunger to see the world. “Planting season is almost here,” said the grain, “and that means I'll get put into the ground, and buried... and that's the end! Not for me!” So the little kernel gathered his courage and determined to avoid his fate.
“Where are yooooou going?”mooed the cow, “It's almost planting time! Yooooou've spent the whole winter safe and dry, getting ready for this time. It loooooks like you're planning on running away!”
“I've been thinking it over,” said the seed, “and being buried and broken just isn't for me. Besides, shouldn't a seed have a right to do what he wants with his own body? No one is going to force me to give up my freedom and put me two inches under!”
“But where will the children get milk if there is nooooo hay for me to eat? They'll be thirsty!”
“They'll figure something out,” said the kernel, walking on.
The kernel walked along, and by midday had reached the front stoop of the farmhouse, where the farmer's wife sat repairing the farmer's tattered trousers. “Where are you going, little seed?” she asked, careful not to poke her fingers with the needle as she sewed, “It's almost planting time! We harvested you at the end of last season, and after looking you over, we selected you as the finest of the bunch, sure to bring in a great harvest and provide for all our family's needs.”
"I've been thinking it over,” said the seed, “and giving up my independence for a family I don't really even know just isn't for me. Besides, shouldn't a seed have some say in being picked to provide for the needs of others? No one is going to convince me to forfeit my own life for the benefit of a family that might not deserve it.”
“But how will we survive if you don’t? We'll starve! This is what you were created for!”
"You'll figure something out,” said the kernel, walking on.
The kernel made his way out toward the field, shuddering as he thought of the fate that would overcome him if he were to be planted in that deep, rich earth. The darkness surrounding him. The water that seeped down to penetrate his husk, his insides bursting apart as massive green tendrils snaked out from him, looking for water. It would be the end for him... he would cease to be. What had he done to deserve this? What could possibly justify this sacrifice?
The kernel was jolted from his daydream when he noticed the massive booted foot before him. He looked up to see the farmer bent down over him, his weathered face looking down, its hardness broken with a happy smile.
“Where are you going, little seed?” asked the farmer. “It's almost planting time. It is time to give yourself over. That is what the First Seed did. When the Farmer sent Him to be planted, He gave up himself so that He would be the first of the Harvest. You have been given life by Him, and He calls you to play your part, so that many will grow from your sacrifice. If you go away, if you do not do this... there will be no others. You will be the last, and there will be no Harvest.”
“I... I've been thinking it over,” said the seed, “and it seems like everything falls on me. Will everything suffer if I refuse?”
“It will be worse than suffering. It will be the end. You are our hope. The Farmer has planned it this way,” said the farmer.
“Then... I embrace the future that has been chose for me... I will not run,” said the seed.
Smiling, the farmer scooped up the little seed, placed him in a tiny hole, and covered him over with dirt.
John 12:24 says, “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.” In this season when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we give thanks to the one who did not despise the shame of the cross, but gave himself over for our benefit. He welcomed what he did not deserve, so we could receive what we could never earn. His sacrifice purchased life for us. We are called to lay down our lives to pass along the life He gave to us. May every green shoot that sprouts from the ground remind us of the seed below that gave its life so that life could begin.
Let us marvel at the glory of the sacrifice of Christ. He gives himself up, and though He is destroyed, His life does not end. It is the glory of the Son to give Himself so that others can live, it is the glory of the Father to raise the Son again. It is our glory to lay aside our prerogatives, give ourselves to others, and pass His life along.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Saturday, April 5, 2008
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