THE MIRACLE OF THE SEED

BY PASTOR VANESSA WILLIS

“Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
— Luke 2:10-12 (NKJV)

A friend tells you that she wants to bless you with an endless supply of delicious, homegrown tomatoes. In anticipation, you prepare to use the tomatoes. When she arrives, she hands you a packet of tomato seeds. Baffled, you thank her as you accept the gift. As your stomach growls, you stare pensively at the luscious, red tomatoes on the front of the packet. You turn the packet over and see instructions on how to grow the tomatoes. In short, you see the big picture. You must follow the steps of planting, watering, nurturing, and providing the sunshine the seeds need to produce beautiful, edible fruit.

The Jews had been waiting for hundreds of years for a Savior, the Seed, who would bruise the head of the serpent. They had been in and out of oppressive situations throughout the history of Israel. When Jesus was born, Israel was under heavy Roman oppression. News of a Savior, Christ the Lord, brought great joy, but may have sounded strange. A Babe in a manger? Really? Yes, the Savior came as a Babe, wrapped in swaddling cloth, lying in a manger.

Before the Savior, Christ the King, upon whose shoulders the government would rest, goes to the cross, He must “preach the gospel to the poor, heal the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, set at liberty those who are oppressed, and proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18,19). He had to demonstrate to mankind how to live by the power of God as the Son of Man.

Yes, the Seed was planted in the earth, developed, matured, and harvested to yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness that redeemed us to God. Be encouraged when God gives you the big picture. Rejoice. Know that He will instruct you, step-by-step, on how to bring about the big picture.

Prayer: Father, help me recognize and shepherd the seeds You have given to me and enjoy the harvest of the seeds produced by patience and perseverance.