What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.

1 Corinthians 15:36b

The grass seeds were sown, and my husband and I nursed our aching bodies after a long day of work. Each day, I peered among the straw looking for sprouts. Not yet. The watering and waiting went on. The seeds had to “die” before the sprouts could appear.

After the crucifixion, Jesus’ disciples mourned. Afraid for their lives, they locked the door when they met (John 20:19). It was while they huddled behind a locked door that Jesus appeared. Alive! Bearing the marks of the crucifixion! This Jesus walked through a locked door. He had risen from burial like the seed He had spoken of in John 12:24 — first the death, then the growth and fruition. He was the first. Through His victory, we partake in the paradox of dying in order to gain heaven.

Judy Scherr
Lemay, MO

Dear Jesus, You are our hope and our resurrection. Thank You for being the first. Amen.

Reflect: See how the miracle of God’s seed grows. It is God’s gift of life here and hereafter.

Read: John 12:24-26 and 1 Corinthians 15:35-38