Unless a grain of wheat is planted in the ground and dies, it remains a solitary seed. But when it is planted, it produces in death a great harvest.    

 John 12:24

Thus far, we’ve discovered that our Creator Father employed Jesus both as the Agent and Tool of Construction. So, his fingerprints of power and wisdom ought to be found everywhere. Wernher von Braun, the rocket scientist that made lunar exploration possible, said: “The universe as revealed through scientific inquiry is the living witness that God has indeed been at work.” So, as “spectators of this beauteous theatre” (John Calvin) we’re going to look at a few examples of Jesus’ fingerprints. We’ll begin with a seed.

Do you like green beans? They’re one of my favorite vegetables and they make a great illustration. Pop open a bean and you’ll discover future seeds. The bean is nothing but a package of potential. Transfer one of the seeds to the palm of your hand. Kook at it and ask: “How many seeds are in this one seed?” I’ve often thought about this experiment: plant a single seed just to count the number of seeds in the harvest of one plant. Clearly, the reproductive power is incredible, especially considering the unimpressive appearance of the seed.

The wisdom and power of the seed, however, is contingent upon one factor. The seed must be planted in soil wherein it undergoes a “death-like process.” In biology it’s called “germination”. In response to water and warmth the outer shell of the seed breaks opens, releasing an embryonic root downward. After the root absorbs water the embryonic shoot emerges upward, eventually breaking through the soil. You know “The Rest of the Story”!

A short time before the Cross Jesus spoke of his impending death in a peculiar way. He said: “Unless a grain of wheat is planted in the ground and dies, it remains a solitary seed. But when it is planted, it produces in death a great harvest.” In effect Jesus claimed to be a “human being seed.” As such, germination was possible only if Jesus was “planted in the ground and die”. He struggled with the necessity. “My Father, if it can be done, take away what is before Me. Even so, not what I want but what You want.” (Matthew 26:39) In His own life Jesus exhibited the wisdom and power which He invested in the green bean seed. The green bean seed bears the fingerprints of Jesus!

QUESTION: If Jesus placed such wisdom and power in a lowly green bean seed, what possibly has He invested in YOU who bear the image of God? Here’s a hint!  “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20).