A
Corn of Wheat/A Missionary
And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of
man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of
wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth
forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth
his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me,
let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any
man serve me, him will my Father honour. (John 12:23-26)
The text offers a beautiful parallel. Christ's death was prerequisite to his bringing forth of fruit and future glorification. The believer's humiliation and death to self is equally necessary prior to his own fruitfulness and glorification. It is interesting that these words were spoken to Andrew and Philip as a response to the request of certain Greeks: "we would see Jesus." An important key, then, for anyone desiring to see Jesus is here set forth. In the corn of wheat can be found a portrayal of the nature of our commitment to the Lord, as well as the nature of God's working in those he would use for his service.
The aim of this essay is to develop the parallel as it might apply to a missionary. I hope it will be profitable.
SOWN
Following the natural course of things, when the little kernel of wheat is harvested, it is almost immediately disconnected and separated from the mother plant. It is often surprising in the animal kingdom how quickly the offspring are left to fend for themselves. Among us humans, it is quite natural that our children grow up and move away from home for work, school or whatever. When they marry, an important link of paternal authority is severed and a new one established. So in the spiritual realm: a regenerated individual is abruptly disconnected in significant ways from the world and his yet unsaved family and friends.
The new kernel of wheat will be planted at the discretion of the sower. Even if it had a will of its own, it would not have much control over its location in the field come planting time. What a nightmare it would be to have to keep track of wheat like that. Let's see: this kernel is from ear #2, plant #476 and it needs to be replanted in the north field, row #12, hill #147. Pity the poor farmer that has bunches of wheat stalks worried about not being planted in the same row as that they came from! The peremptory manner in which God calls and sends forth his servants is evident throughout the Bible and in the testimonies of men of God today. Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own works and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (2Tim.1:9). In his infinite knowledge and love, he must certainly take into account our background, family ties, education, line of work, how busy we are, what commitments we have, our innate weaknesses and our immaturity. However, from our standpoint, where we end up being sown ought to be entirely incidental to us.
A kernel of wheat will be sown where it is most likely to bear fruit, or better yet, where it will bear the most fruit possible. Again, this will depend on the wisdom of the sower and his preparation of the ground. It is a unique and constant encouragement to a missionary to know that he has been sown where God wants him to be. It is this knowledge as much as anything that upholds him during the times of transition, fruitlessness or discouragement. Remember what the Lord said to Paul in Corinth? Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city (Acts 18:9-10). It is no surprise that Paul remained in Corinth for a productive 18 months.
Overall, the sower is not nearly as interested in having happy seeds as he is in having a good harvest. Therefore, the well-being of the seed, rather than being an end in itself, forms part of a grander design. In like manner, a missionary must defer to the grander design being carried out by the Master, rather than be awfully concerned about his own well-being and preferences.
