Human Seeds Can Bear Fruit

In what sense does a plant seed die?
In what sense does a human die?
What good can come from death?

Op-Ed by David Coppedge

This week the world remembers two tragic events: the assassination of Charlie Kirk one year ago today, and the terror attacks by al-Qaeda in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001.

• See our news about 9/11/01 from 25 years ago here. It was just a year after CEH began.
• See our story about the Charlie Kirk assassination a year ago here.

Both events brought forth the character of individuals who had died to self before they died physically. Both events continue to live on in the memories of the living who have taken inspiration from the sacrifice of those who died.

New forces of dedicated action often spring from tragedy.

In yesterday’s post, we learned about plant seeds. What were thought to be little dead particles with inactive DNA turn out to be factories of molecular machines pre-loaded and ready-made for action. A seed “does not just pre-build its power plant generators; it pre-installs the entire factory floor.” A seed could not germinate if it were not so equipped with the tools and information in place, ready to respond to the call. Moreover, a seed needs to be buried in the right environment for a new crop to flourish.

As he walked and taught outdoors, Jesus Christ spoke metaphorically of plants and seeds. He taught that even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like the wildflowers on the hillsides where He sat teaching. He spoke of a sower spreading seeds on four kinds of soil: hardpan, shallow, weedy, and fertile. He spoke of the inborn capacity of seeds—even the smallest of seeds—to multiply and spread. And prophesying his own death, He said that “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24).

The killer of Charlie Kirk, and the terrorists who killed 2,977 individuals on 9/11, thought they were “done with” the ones they hated. They thought that killing the body would kill the ideas their victims believed and shared. They were wrong. Those human seeds that vanished in the ground sprouted into new crops of truth and love that prove stronger than hate, as light overpowers darkness.

After Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika took bravely forgave the murderer of her husband and took on the mantle of his leadership over Turning Point USA, new campus chapters rocketed up by 180% on high school campuses and by 64% on college campuses. Many young people, inspired by Kirk’s message and courage, wanted to take his place. “I am Charlie Kirk” was found on many placards in memorial events. And this week in New York, a new wall of heroes was unveiled to honor hundreds of first responders who rushed into the Twin Towers to save people, aware that they would probably die in the attempt.

Hate is taught, but love is caught. Isn’t it ironic that Charlie Kirk’s murderer told his trans roommate that “some hate can’t be negotiated out” yet this twisted individual was the personification of hate himself. He engraved hate messages on the very bullets he took to kill Mr. Kirk. This is called projection: accusing another of your own defect. Charlie Kirk, by contrast, loved people enough to talk to them. He welcomed those who disagreed with him and answered them with respect. He was a loving husband and father.

To this day, that murderer has yet to face justice. Was there ever a more clear example of first-degree murder with malice aforethought, planning, and execution? Was there ever a case more abounding in evidence, with notes, the murder weapon, messages and confessions? Yet a year later, the court only recently decided he can face trial. Solomon wisely said, “Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Americans can be thankful that the accused have rights, but the delays seem excessive in such a clear case of a hate crime leading to first degree murder. Given the tenor of the courts these days, the murderer will most likely get free food and lodging at taxpayer expense for the rest of his life. Let us pray that justice will prevail.

The first responders, too, rushed into danger. Most people were running for their lives from the Twin Towers, but great heroic men, on what started as a calm, sunny business day, rushed without hesitation into the buildings, running up flights of stairs repeatedly to help people get out. Brave passengers on Flight 93 in Pennsylvania, caught in an unexpected crisis, rose to the occasion and forced the plane down, not letting it kill thousands of people at the terrorists’ intended target. Such courage rightly should inspire us all to be willing to show “no greater love” than to give our lives for others.

Seed Factories Don’t Emerge by Chance

A prime reason that Charlie Kirk and the first responders on 9/11 were able set such inspiring examples in death was that they, like seeds, were “pre-loaded and ready-made” for action. They were equipped. They were trained. They were experienced. So when haters took them out, they were ready to make the ultimate sacrifice if needed. As a result of their sacrifices, they are honored this week by millions.

A seed only “dies” by being buried and removed from sight. A similar thing is true for humans: our bodies, the carriers of our souls, wear out and are buried, removed from sight, but our souls only change locations. You will live somewhere forever. Where will it be? Are you prepared for the metamorphosis that will occur?

The Bible says we are not ready by default to bear a crop of righteousness. We are sinners, sons and daughters of rebels who believed an evil lie which turned our world over to Satan’s dominion. “An evil tree cannot produce good fruit,” Jesus said. Our fruits are rotten. Our factories are out of order, broken, lifeless. Humans can do good things for one another, but fall short of the glory of God. Nothing eternally good can come from our efforts until we recognize our hopeless state and turn from it (i.e., repent), and look to the only One capable of regenerating us. By His death, we can live again. By His resurrection, we can be raised to new life. We can love, because He first loved us. If we are connected to His life, like a branch to a vine (John 15), we can bear much fruit. Our fruits of righteousness will contain seeds—packages of life pre-loaded with everything needed—to sow a crop of righteousness wherever our message can spread on good soil.

Speaking of soils, many Bible teachers interpret the parable of the soils in Matthew 13 as metaphors of static characters: hard-hearted types of people, shallow types, distracted types, and receptive listeners. But actually, we can choose to improve our “soil” quality—our receptivity to God’s word. Just as a gardener or landscaper can plow soil and remove stones and weeds, we can examine ourselves for traits or habits that harden our hearts against God’s word. If you are hard-hearted, recognize that and get the pickaxe of self-reflection out to break through the habit of rejecting truth. Dig up your soil and add fertilizer. If you are shallow, learn to think and read good books; follow examples of righteous people worth imitating (example: Ben Carson as a youth was rescued from a future with gangs by being forced by his mother to read books). If you are distracted, recognize that fact and clear the deck of worthless activities. Get your head out of the screen, stop doomscrolling, and turn off the TV. Remove useless hobbies from your life, reflect on what really matters, and go to a good church. The seed in Christ’s parable is the word of God. Prepare your mind to receive it, and it can bear a good crop: some tenfold, some thirty-fold, and some a hundredfold.