Above the hustle and bustle of mankind, beyond humanity’s frenzied quest for knowledge, and just beyond the reach of the masses, lie the secrets to universal principles established by God Himself. A host of such principles have been revealed (and, at the same time, hidden) in scripture. One of those principles, the principle of resurrection, begs our attention as the calendar declares the approach of another Easter celebration. The first Easter was not only a dramatic validation of many Bible prophecies, but it was also the ultimate proof of God’s resurrection power. Resurrection power is also on display a little closer to home, in the world of agriculture; every germinated seed declares the power of resurrection. Jesus referred to this principle when he said, “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)
According to the Iowa Corn Growers Association each kernel of field corn, if planted, will produce an average of 800 more kernels. If all those kernels were planted, the rate of reproduction would be as follows:
- 1st harvest 800
- 2nd harvest 640,000
- 3rd harvest 512,000,000
- 4th harvest 409,600,000,000
- 5th harvest 327,680,000,000,000
Theoretically, in just five generations one kernel could produce over 327 trillion kernels of corn. If the cycle continued and each kernel was sacrificed as a seed and allowed to fall into the ground and die, the earth would soon be filled with corn. The power of the seed is remarkable!
Jesus eventually practiced what he preached about dying and about overcoming death. He was rejected by His own, unjustly railroaded, beaten, and brutally murdered. None of it was fair, legal or moral. Politicians and religious leaders used every dirty trick, and the crowds were only too quick to realign their allegiance. Jesus had every disadvantage. He was politically weak, poor, a minority in the empire, and a heretic in the eyes of many religious leaders. To further aggravate the situation He had a short period of great popularity, he helped and healed many people and he won all public debates.
But Jesus was God manifest in flesh (see I Timothy 3:16) and that trumps everything! Jesus died and was planted in the ground. His enemies relaxed. But on the third day He sprang up - victorious over death. Weeks later, on the Day of Pentecost, He sprang up in the hearts of thousands of believers. To date He has come alive in millions of hearts.
Many people still do not “get” or respect Jesus. All evidence of His divinity is conveniently ignored. He and his followers are still not often politically correct, financially powerful, or the majority. He and his followers are still often called heretical and sometimes even persecuted as He was. Many still make it their business to put to death and bury the Christian faith. But, God continues springing up in the hearts of millions of people world-wide. Those who receive Him are filled with His Spirit and empowered, like He was, “to preach the gospel to the poor…to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” (Luke 4:18-19) May His glory fill the earth!
This Easter would be a good day to join with others in a celebration of that resurrection power. Easter Sunday would be a great day to die to old attitudes and habits and let His resurrection power give you new life!
# posted by John W. Hanson @ Saturday, April 07, 2007
