What happens to a seed when it is planted in the soil?
When a seed is planted in the soil, moisture and sunlight begin to work on it, causing the seed to die. Out of that death comes new growth. This illustrates being planted in the likeness of Christ's death and then His resurrection.
Les teaches that planting means putting a seed into the ground or into a flower pot—into the soil. When moisture and sunlight work on that seed, it dies. Out of that death comes new growth. He connects this to Romans 6:5, where the apostle uses plain English: 'for if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death.' That means our old Adam has died and must be crucified. If we have been identified in His death, then we shall also be identified in His resurrection. Les emphasizes how plain and beautiful this is: the seed's death produces new life, picturing the believer's identification with Christ's death and resurrection. He then transitions to John's Gospel, chapter 12.
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
More Questions
What does 'planted' mean in Romans 6:5, and why does Les use the seed illustration?
In Romans 6:5, Paul's word 'planted' pictures putting a seed in the ground; the planted seed must die under the working of moisture and sunlight, and out of that death comes the new growth.