The Eternal Seed

A seed may have a small beginning and easily fit in the palm of our hand. However, as it grows it may reach well over one hundred feet in height and produce bountifully over the span of many years. Just as God created the seed to play a vital role in nature, He uses it in a variety of ways to teach us about the spiritual realm. Let us consider a couple of examples and applications of this spiritual seed.

One major aspect of Biblical teaching regarding seed is the seed of Abraham. This refers to the descendents of Abraham and applies in the following three ways: to Jesus Christ, to those who are Jews by birth, and to those who are Christians by faith. In order to find the very basis of this teaching, we go to the account in Genesis 22, where Abraham demonstrated the extent of his faith and obedience to God’s word in his willingness to offer Isaac, his only son. God then spoke words of promise and prophecy to Abraham when He said in Genesis 22:18, “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” The apostle Paul later clearly teaches that Jesus Christ is this seed of Abraham by whom all nations of the earth are blessed (Galatians 3:16). Furthermore, it is through faith and baptism in Christ that we put on Christ and become children of God (Galatians 3:26-27). To put on Christ in this way, then allows us to be called Abraham’s seed as well. “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). As one man, Abraham had a small beginning. However, under the leadership and power of the LORD and as the seed of Abraham, the nation of Israel grew to become a great nation in Old Testament times. From another perspective, as one man and the seed of Abraham, Jesus Christ also had a small beginning. However, He became the chief cornerstone and the apostles and prophets the foundation of the church (Eph 2:20). As Christians and the seed of Abraham by faith, we are a part of Christ’s church - His spiritual kingdom which is eternal.

A second prominent Biblical connection regarding seed is in the parable of the sower sowing seed (Matthew 13:3-9; Luke 8:4-8). The spiritual comparison is to the seed as the word of God (Luke 8:11). Just as the seed is scattered to land on a variety of soils, so the seed of God’s word is scattered to land on various types of hearts.

Let’s pause here to briefly discuss how a seed grows when planted in the soil. A seed grows in two directions - downward and upward. The downward growth results in the root system of the tree or plant. The continuing expansion and deepening of the roots provide nutrition and stability. On the other side of the seed, we find upward growth beginning as a stem is formed. Soon it breaks through the soil and continues to increase in width and height. Over the next few days and weeks, leaves and the produce from that particular type of seed are formed and grow until they are ripened.

There are similarities to consider in relation to the spiritual seed planted in the good soil of the hearts of men and women who obey the gospel. As the seed begins to grow downward, the root system of faith is being established. The spiritual nutrition of both the Old and New Testaments continue to widen and deepen our roots of faith. We grow in understanding and appreciation of God’s redemptive and sanctifying work in our lives. Once again, a related scenario is occurring on the other side of the seed as the stem is growing upward. After it breaks through the soil, its growth is visible to all. The Godly nutrition being received through the roots and the righteousness of the internal core of the seed leads to a plant which grows in such a way apparent to all that it is a spiritual tree producing spiritual fruit. The apostle Peter writes in I Peter 1:23, “having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” This is the eternal seed of Jesus Christ and the saving power of the gospel found in the word of God. From this gospel seed planted in our hearts grows our Christian faith and works. Just as the roots of a plant are underground and not literally visible, faith itself is also not literally visible. However, the results and health of this root system and our faith are clearly visible through the shape and conduct of our lives. It is in this sense that our works and fruit above the surface are produced by our faith below the surface.

We see that a seed begins small. In one parable Jesus likened a mustard seed to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:31-32). It is the least among seeds, but grows to become the greatest among herbs. In like manner, the gospel seed is small when it is planted in our hearts. May we allow it to grow to become the greatest of all in our lives. From this seed, may our roots of faith grow downward and deeper, while the stem and branches of our works and fruits grow upward and higher. It all begins when we are born again of the incorruptible and eternal seed.

The Gospel Message June 2006

by Kevin Ferguson