THE ORIGIN OF SEEDS
In my opinion seeds rank as one of God’s most amazing creations.
11 “And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so.” – Genesis 1:11 ESV
The phrase “each according to its kind,” is repeated nine more times in Genesis 1 after this first occurrence. The seed was programable for stable reproduction of each kind, through the remarkable system known today as the ‘genetic code,’ the complex information program in the DNA molecule. This system allows wide horizontal variation within the kind, but no vertical evolution from one kind into a more complex kind. In other words, an apricot seed will only produce an apricot tree or a variety of apricot trees. It is significant that, despite widespread belief in evolution, no scientist has yet documented a single instance of true vertical evolution occurring today. The genetic code also dictates reproduction “according to its kind,” in the animal kingdom, and the human kingdom. The many varieties of dogs are all part of the created “dog kind,” just as all tribes and nations of men constitute one “mankind” (Acts 17:25-26).
To digress just a bit – The ability of the earth to begin immediately producing abundant plant life, on the same day as the forming of the land surfaces shows that the upper portion of the crust was a rich soil, fertile in chemical nutrients and retaining adequate moisture to sustain the lush vegetation. This fact illustrates an important principle:
True biblical creation necessarily involves the theory of a creation of apparent age, or better, creation of functioning maturity.
The plants did not develop from seeds; rather the herb was formed yielding seed. According to the creation account what came first—the chicken or the egg? A lengthy discussion on these subjects could ensue, but I will reserve that for another day.
THE POWER OF SEEDS
“31 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, 32 which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” – Matthew 13:31-32 NKJV
If I were to show you a mustard seed without telling you what it was, you’d probably have no clue what it would become—unless you are a horticulturist, but that’s cheating. I started out majoring in horticulture in college, and I could not even have told you that it was a mustard seed! ☺
It’s a small round seed less than two millimeters in diameter that comes in three primary varieties—yellow, black, and white. It seems so simple, yet it’s amazingly complex. Within that single seed is a remarkable nutritional profile, including vitamins A, B6, B12, C, E, and K. It’s also a source of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, and it tastes fantastic on pretzels ☺!
We know oak trees come from acorns, but how does a thimble-sized acorn turn into a one-hundred-foot oak that can live for two hundred years? While we are on the subject, how does a little black seed become a beautiful green watermelon that is 200,000 times its weight? Since we are still on the subject, anyone can count the number of seeds in a watermelon. Only God can count the number of watermelons in a seed.
THE PROGRESSION OF PLANTED SEEDS
“24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel (seed) of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels–a plentiful harvest of new lives.” – John 12:24 NLT
Ironically, for a seed to fulfill its purpose it must be planted and die. In one of Christ’s most iconic passages on discipleship He references, of all things, a seed and the principle of dying. This is illustrated by the continuation of the verse following 12:24, which I’ll write below.
“He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.” – John 12:25 NASB
We waste too much time worrying about consequences we cannot control. Quit focusing on the outcome. The increase is God’s responsibility. Our job is first to be the seed that is planted and dies to our self-dominated alternative kingdoms. In the process of dying to the tyrannical rule of our own self-centeredness, and laying aside our striving for advantage, security, and pleasure, we can begin the process of spiritual germination–- the powerful force of sprouting obedience to our King as loyal subjects in His Kingdom!! Ah, obedience, the compelling necessity of a life lived in the Kingdom of God.
In Luke 17:5-10 the little mustard seed shows up again in Christ’s instruction about increasing one’s faith.
“5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.” 6 The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it would obey you! 7 “When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? 8 No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ 9 And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. 10 In the same way, when you obey me, you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’” – Luke 17:5-10 NLT
Duty is the forgotten outworking of obedience that increases our faith! Duty is simply doing what you are told to do!
Jesus’ solution to “Increase our faith,” was for servants to obey their master just as trees obey commands from the tiniest of seeds! If it is the will of the King, simply do it, as it’s the duty of the rest of the created order to obey even as the mustard seed obeys when it dies. This is also true of what seems impossible to the uprooting of trees responding to the mere presence of the tiniest amount of belief.
THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF SEEDS– TO REPRODUCE!
Most of life Is made up of choices (Joshua 24:15). In many instances our choices to do the right are counterintuitive. Whatever you desire to be, whatever is True — Act it! Do it! Die to yourself! Begin small acts of goodness!
What if you sowed a seed at your point of need?
WHAT SEEDS ARE YOU PLANTING?
(I only supplied verses pertaining to sowing of the seeds.)
If you are in a season of rejoicing, sow the seeds of praise to God (Hebrews 13:15).
If you are in a season of sorrow, sow the seeds of compassion for others (Zechariah 7:9).
If you are in a season of righteous zeal, sow the seeds of understanding (Psalm 49:3 NKJV).
If you are in a season of grief, sow the seeds of hope to others (Psalm 37:34 NLT).
If you are in a season of health, sow the seeds of wisdom (Psalm 111:10 NLT).
If you are in a season of loss, sow the seeds of gratefulness (Luke 17:15&16 NIV).
If you’re in a season abundance, sow the seeds of generosity (2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV).
In a season of evil around you, sow the seeds of good behaviors (Romans 12:21 NIV).
In a season of confusion, sow the seeds of doing small steps that are right (Hosea 14:9 KJV).
If you are in a season of betrayal, sow the seeds of objectivity (Romans 12:18 NIV).
If you are in a season of bewilderment, sow the seeds of thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
“Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” – Matthew 13:31-32 NLT
Plant righteous seeds and watch people—
they will attract to you because you are bearing His fruit!
Hey, we are all spiritual farmers in one way or another!
Sowing righteous seeds with you,
Dale