Why did Jesus use the kernel of wheat illustration?
Jesus used the kernel of wheat as a common, everyday illustration of His own death, burial, and resurrection. A seed left in storage remains alone, but when buried, it dies and brings forth much fruit, showing that His death would produce much fruit.
Les teaches that Jesus was speaking only about 48 hours before the cross. When Andrew and Philip told Him Gentiles wanted to see Him, He did not say to bring them in; instead, He said the hour is come that the Son of Man should be glorified, speaking of His death, burial, and resurrection. He used the common, everyday example of a kernel of wheat: if it falls into the ground and dies, it abides not alone but brings forth much fruit. If left in a granary, it never reproduces. Planting is literally burying the seed. The kernel dies and rots, but out of that death comes a new green shoot, then a stem and maybe a hundred kernels. Jesus applied this simple illustration to His own death, burial, and resurrection.