There are two Greek words for 'grain' in the above verse, the first is 'kokkos' and the other is 'karpus'. Therefore, I can put it this way: "Most assuredly, I (Jesus) say to you, unless a grain ('kokkos') of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain ('karpus')."
'Kokkos' in Greek literally means 'kernel of seed', and 'kernel' speaks of 'the central, essential part of something'. On the other hand, 'karpus' in Greek means 'fruit, or something that is to be plucked or harvested'. As you can see, Jesus was actually saying, "Unless a kernel of seed falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit!" He was in effect speaking about Himself and what was to come (i.e. His death and His resurrection).
Jesus is that 'seed' who died on the cross for you some 2,000 years ago! Not only did He die for you, He has also taken away all your sins, curse and shame! In short, He died to give you life!
In the natural realm, a seed has to 'die' (i.e. be 'buried') before it germinates and a new plant sprouts out (i.e. emerges, comes forth, grows). In other words, death leads to the sprouting of new life! And this one seed would eventually bear many fruits and thus, produce many more new seeds.
Jesus was buried on a Friday, and resurrected on a Sunday - one is 'kokkos', and the other is 'karpus'. As we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, or the Feast of Firstfruits, we are also celebrating the sprouting of new life and fruits, hence the producing of many more new seeds! 'Resurrection' therefore speaks of 'the one seed that bears many fruits'. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 says, 'But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (died). For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming'.
One may ask, "Was it necessary for Jesus to die?"
Yes! He had to die and go down to the grave in order to conquer the grave (i.e. death) for us!
Matthew 27:50-52 says, 'And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep (died) were raised'.
This 'seed' is also the seed of greatness that draws all men to Himself. In John 12:32, Jesus said, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." The expression 'lifted up' here means 'being elevated, exalted', which speaks of Him being crucified on the cross for all to see. And notice the words 'all peoples' here? This speaks of 'every nation, tribe, tongue, and people on this earth'.
Acts 4:12 says, '... for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which one can be saved (i.e. receive salvation), but by this name Jesus Christ'. Jesus Christ is God (the Father) revealed. One cannot know the Father without knowing Jesus. It is the same in the natural realm: “How can you see the (physical) sun if you don’t see its light?” Jesus is the Light (John 1:7-9), the Father manifested. 'Father' here refers to the 'Originator', the one God who is the Creator of heaven and earth, the Great I AM (see Exodus 3:14). In John 14:6-7, Jesus says, "I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me... If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." One of the disciples then said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." (John 14:8) Jesus then answered, "... He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?" (John 14:9)
In John 14:12, Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do..." Right now, many more people on earth are being preached (or made known) with the good news of Jesus Christ ('Yeshuwah', meaning 'Salvation') than in any other era in the history of mankind, even during Jesus' days on earth! In short, more people are getting to know the gospel (good news) than ever before! And yes, even in the most remote and impenetrable part of this earth! Thanks to tools like the internet and multimedia technology, and with bigger stadiums and more state-of-the-art facilities like those in auditoriums, bigger crusades can be held as well - to reach more lives, save more lives, and deliver more lives!
When Jesus' side was pierced, blood and water came out (John 19:34). This marked the beginning of the Church Age being ushered in (and fully manifested by the time of Acts 2:1-4 when the Holy Spirit fell upon the people). 'Blood' here speaks of 'the forgiveness of sins', whereas 'water' speaks of 'the ministry of the Word and Spirit', and it's only in the Church (the Body of Christ) that these can be found! By the way, the word 'side' here is 'pleura' in Greek, which literally means 'rib'! Just as Eve (Adam’s wife) came forth from Adam’s rib, the Church (Jesus’ bride) came forth from Jesus’ side! (see also Genesis 2:21-22, Romans 5:14-15, Ephesians 5:23-27)
'His hands' here speaks of 'His works' of
advancing His kingdom; and
'His side' here speaks of 'His Church', i.e.
the Body of Christ, or His people (His bride).
In other words, His works and His Church will always be seen and be evident in this world till His coming again! And no matter what the 'enemy' does, or how the 'enemy' wants to destroy and kill off this move of God, they are doing it in vain and they are bound to fail. Glory be to God!
Many ideologies and empires may come and go, but this great work of our Lord will still remain and continue ever stronger, even till the very end of age. There's no stopping Him whatsoever - not even persecution or oppression by any earthly government or authority, because in Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus has promised, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of age."
People of God, you and I are very much part of this great move and work of our Lord on earth today. Let's join our hands and faith together as one Body (of Christ) for this great wide move of God. This is the time to look out and reach out! This is the time to go and preach the good news wherever you are! This is the time to 'proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day, declare His glory among the nations, and His wonders among all peoples'! (Psalm 96:2-3) We are all in this together, and by the grace of God, we'll live to see this prophecy in Habakkuk 2:14 coming to pass in our time, that 'the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, just like the waters cover the sea'. Amen.
