Understanding the Parable of the Seed

Jesus did not live for himself; he lived to do the Father’s will.  He gave up his own self-will to live out the Father’s will.  He was born for the purpose of dying as a sacrifice “to save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).  At the age of twelve, he said, “I must be about My Father’s business” (Luke 2:49, NKJV).  He did not please himself.  He pleased the Father who sent him (Hebrews 10:5-7).  In so doing, he showed us the meaning and joy in a God–purposed life.  He said that his purpose was to “seek and to save the lost” by giving himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sins (19:10).  Several times he told his disciples that he would die in Jerusalem and be raised from the dead (as in Mark 8:31; 9:31).  In the Garden of Gethsemane on the eve of his death on the cross, he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).  Jesus would rather die than disobey the Father.   

His sacrifice brought him true life because he was lovingly received by the Father in the heavenly world (Hebrews 12:2).  His cross became the means of calling all people to himself and purchasing his church with his blood (John 12:31-32; Acts 20:28).  Because he was willing to die on the cross, 

 God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11) 

He now receives heavenly worship forever by an innumerable multitude “from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Revelation 5:9-10; 7:9-10).     

We, like Jesus, are called to die to ourselves now so that we can live with Jesus now and forever.  Jesus says,   

Whoever loves the life they have now will lose it. But whoever is willing to give up their life in this world will keep it. They will have eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me. My servants must be with me everywhere I am. My Father will give honor to anyone who serves me.  (John 12:25-26 ERV)   

The Apostle Paul describes this type of living and dying as “putting away the old self and putting on the new self” (Ephesians 4:23-24).    The “old man” is the way of the flesh.  The “new man” is the way of the Spirit.  The old way of the flesh leads to eternal death.  The new way of the Spirit leads to eternal life (Galatians 5:16-24).  Because we are “a new creation” in Christ, we are to live in a new way of life (2 Corinthians 5:17).