A Grain of Wheat

The Story

It was the week of Passover, and Jerusalem was crowded with pilgrims. Some Greeks who had come to worship went to Philip, one of Jesus’ disciples, with a request. “Sir, we would see Jesus.”

Philip told Andrew, and together they told Jesus.

Jesus’ answer must have puzzled them. “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.”

Then He talked about a seed.

“Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”

A grain of wheat sitting in a barn stays exactly as it is, a single grain. But bury it in the ground, and it breaks open. A green shoot pushes up. A stalk grows. And one seed becomes many.

Jesus was talking about His own death. Within days, He would be crucified and laid in a tomb. And from that death would come a harvest of people from every nation, including Greeks like the ones asking to see Him.

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”

Reflection