“The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Must assuredly, I say to you unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serve Me, him My Father will honor” (John 12:23-26).

Jesus

This concerns Jesus’ death. “The hour has come” (John 12:23 cf. 2:3-4; 7:6, 8; 7:30; 8:20; 12:27; 13:1; 17:1). It was time for him to die (John 12:27; 13:1). It was time for him to be glorified (John 12:23; 17:1). [He would be glorified in the resurrection (Acts 13:13-15), ascension (John 17:1, 5), and the work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13-14).]

Jesus tells his disciples that he must die. He provides this illustration to help them understand. The germ of life is contained in a grain of wheat. However, it is after than grain falls to the ground (death), and into the soil (burial), that reproduction occurs. If a seed remains on a stalk (remains alive), it alone would be alive. However, if it falls to the ground (dies) many grains of wheat will have life. Jesus is telling his disciples that it is by his death that a great spiritual harvest will come.

Grain

Some critics object. This is contrary to science. The law of biogenesis says that life comes from life.

How do we respond? First, it should be understood that Jesus is not speaking scientifically but phenomenally (that is, according to how things appear). We, ourselves, use phenomenal language; for example, we speak of the sun rising and setting. Second, Jesus is not giving a science lesson. He is using the fall of a grain of wheat as an illustration of what will be accomplished through his death. Third, a separation does occur when the grain falls from the stalk. “Death in the Bible simply means a separation of some sort… But what ‘separation’ has occurred in the case of the grain Jesus mentioned? The text helps to illuminate its own meaning. When a grain ‘falls to the ground,’ it dies. Falls from where? Obviously, it falls from its stalk. So, when it falls, being separated from it stalk, it is no longer receiving nourishment from it and has undergone a form of death. It is no longer… being nourished by its stalk but rather begins to slowly decay. A seed typically is not considered ‘lifeless’ for centuries or longer” (Jeff Miller, Did Jesus Contradict the Law of Biogenesis in John 12: 24?, apologeticspress.org). Fourth, it is possible that the original word translated ‘dies’ may here refer to the process of decay and not absolute lifeless existence (ibid. cf. Arndt-Gingrich).

Us

Jesus changes from speaking of what he must do to speaking of what his disciples must do. A disciple must follow Jesus (John 12:26 cf. Matthew 16:24). A disciple must be willing to follow Jesus, even if it means giving up one’s physical life (John 12:25-26 cf. Matthew 16:24-25). Such a disciple will be with Jesus and will be honored by the Father (John 12:26).

True discipleship involves total commitment. May we not be so afraid of physical death that we fail to live, to be and do what we should, as disciples of Christ.