What did Jesus teach about a kernel of wheat falling into the ground?
Jesus taught that unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. He was alluding to His own death and burial, and through resurrection Gentiles could come into the picture and become the object of their faith.
Les explains that Jesus did not accept the Gentiles at that moment; instead He spoke of the hour for the Son of Man to be glorified. He gave the kernel of wheat as a tremendous lesson in theology: if the kernel lays by itself, it has to die before it can bring forth life. If it falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. Les teaches that unless the kernel germinates, springs forth the stem of grain, and produces the heads on that stem, it stays alone. But if it germinates and brings forth new life, the result is a whole head of maybe 100 or 120 kernels of grain. Les says Jesus was alluding to His own death and burial, and that when He would die and be resurrected, Gentiles could come into the picture; He could be the object of their faith as a result of His death, burial, and resurrection, and really not until.
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.
More Questions
Why does the kernel of wheat have to fall into the ground and die?
A kernel of wheat that lays by itself has to die before it can bring forth life; if it dies it brings forth much fruit, but if it stays alone it abides alone.
What did Jesus mean when He said a kernel of wheat must fall into the ground and die in John 12:24?
In John 12:24, Jesus' illustration of a kernel of wheat falling into the ground and dying was about His own death, burial, and resurrection; He had to die, and through that death He would come forth in resurrection power and impart that life to those who believe.
In John 12:24, what did the kernel of wheat dying refer to?
In John 12:24, Jesus's illustration of a kernel of wheat falling into the ground and dying referred to His coming death, burial, and resurrection.
What does the kernel of wheat that dies mean in John 12:24?
In John 12:24, Jesus' illustration of a kernel of wheat falling into the ground and dying refers to His own death, burial, and resurrection.
What does Jesus mean by 'except a kernel of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone'?
Unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone — death is the condition for bringing forth much fruit or grain.