Course

Lesson 4: Jesus, the Seed That Was Planted

2,998 words, about 15 min read

OBJECTIVES cont’d Discuss how the revival in hell shows Christ’s power and role in bringing forth life. Students should be able to: (a) Define the term revival as it relates to Jesus’ death and resurrection (b) Describe how Jesus’ resurrection demonstrates His authority over death. (c) Explain what happened to the souls that heard the message Jesus preached in hell.

Reflect on how the multiplication of Jesus’ presence manifests in their lives and/or others. Students should be able to: (a) Use a scriptural account (Acts 2) to confirm that Jesus continued to multiply in the earth after His resurrection. (b) Provide an example of how they have experienced Jesus through others. (c) Share how Jesus is seen through His Body, the Church.

PREPARATION ACTIVITY Activity

4.1 The image above is a seed/grain of wheat that is to be planted. a) Why do you think it has the potential to fulfill its purpose? b) What should happen for this purpose to be achieved? c) How can this image be linked to the focus of the lesson - Jesus as a Seed? Explain.

As we delve deeper into Jesus’ born-again experience, let us also explore further how His experience ties to His preeminence as the first of many brethren. Just as a seed must be planted in the ground to produce a great harvest, Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection made Him the Firstfruit of a new creation. Through His sacrifice, Jesus not only secured salvation but set the pattern for all believers to follow. This proves His preeminence in leading those who believe in Him into new life as children of God. His journey from death to resurrection mirrors the planting of a seed that, through transformation, yields an abundant harvest. Let us examine Jesus’ teaching about this transformation that makes others as He is.

JESUS AND THE SYMBOLISM OF THE SEED

John 12:24

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.

OR

Watch a video of a plant that shows it changing from seed to plant.

What are the major changes?

Activity

4.2a Activity 4.2b Wheat Grain Timelapse https://tinyurl.com/2mun598k Strawberry Seed Timelapse https://tinyurl.com/4k2r4562 Examine a real plant and discuss the changes that led to its current stage of development and their relevance to Jesus’ experience when He died and was buried.

In the Scripture above, Jesus uses the analogy of a single grain of wheat falling to the ground. That single grain remains alone until it begins to grow. As it develops into a plant, it eventually produces hundreds of grains of wheat.

The crucial aspect of this parable is understanding that the grain of wheat, after it dies, becomes the plant. Simply put, the grain and the plant are the same—the plant is what the grain originally contained within itself.

It is important to consider the importance of Jesus’ death from the perspective that it represents the planting of a seed, which is His soul in hell - the belly of the earth. Through Jesus’ obedience to God and His faith, in the midst of the suffering, God’s plan to save humanity would bear fruit to bring forth His children in the earth. But how would this happen in hell?

TRANSFORMATION & MULTIPLICATION OF JESUS, THE PLANTED SEED

Matthew 27:50-53

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

Remember, the sins of every soul were placed on Jesus, so each was accounted for. When He died, He was physically alone on the cross. However, when He resurrected, He rose with many. He was no longer just a single grain of wheat—the only begotten Son. This tells us that something significant happened when He was being transformed to make Him the Head of His Body, the Church and the first of many brethren.25 Let us examine this marvelous operation of God further. In the Psalms, Jesus prophesied through David in detail about the transformation He would undergo in the belly of the earth. This prophecy further clarifies the analogy of the grain of wheat, which changes from a single entity into many members.

25 Romans 8:29 - For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Psalm 139:14

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Here, Jesus praises God as He reflects on the work God accomplished in creating the Body of Christ. It is interesting to note that when He says, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” He is referring not only to Himself but also to the Church. This is because the Church, like the embryo in a seed, was in Christ and became His Body. Yes, Jesus and the Church are one.

THE HIDDEN SUBSTANCE WITHIN CHRIST, THE FRUITFUL SEED

Jesus describes His Body (The Church) as “fearful,” meaning sacred, worthy of reverence, and evoking astonishment and awe of God. The term “wonderful” means set apart or distinct, having nothing comparable, and thus, inspiring amazement.

Activity

4.3a Activity 4.3b Use The Bible Teacher App to help you examine Psalm 139: 14-16 to describe the Body of Christ that is the result of God’s marvelous works. Reflect on Psalm 139: 17 in relation to your salvation

(i) Words that Describe the Body of Christ:

(ii)Words that Convey God’s Marvelous Works:

Psalm 139:15

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

26 He also mentioned being made in secret and in the lowest parts of the earth. This refers to what happened after Jesus’ death. When Jesus died for the sins of the world, He descended into hell, separated from God’s presence, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 27:46). However, after three days and nights, when the debt of sin was paid, God reclaimed His Son, remaking Him in the belly of the earth by reuniting His soul with His Spirit.

27 The Hebrew word translated as “curiously wrought” is raqam, which means to embroider, work skillfully, or weave. It describes a detailed process where threads of different colors and textures are carefully intertwined to create a unified final product. Here, Jesus refers to the Church, or the Body of Christ, as “My substance.” Keep in mind that “substance” refers to the matter from which a person or thing is made, or the essential part of something. Just as a physical body consists of many parts, the Church is the substance of Christ.

We are the members—the parts—of His body.26 Notice how verse 16 reveals that the “substance”

Jesus refers to is the Church. Through His foreknowledge, God already knew all who would become members of the Body of Christ—their names were written in the Book of Life even before they were born. However, in time, they were born as children of Adam, bound by sin.

This is why Jesus refers to them as “unperfect,” meaning unformed or incomplete. At that point, they had yet to be fully revealed for who they truly are. Nevertheless, the Godhead already counted them as members of the Body of Christ.

The phrase “in continuance were fashioned” means that, as time unfolds, it will become evident that they were always the sons of God.

The analogy of the grain helps us to remember the solitary grain that fell into the ground!

It went in as a grain, but emerged as a plant, undergoing a transformation while in the earth.

In the same way, Jesus was refashioned— ”curiously wrought”—in the lower parts of the earth. 27

Psalm 139:16

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

28 1 Corinthians 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

29 For a deeper understanding of this concept, enroll in our courses on Eternity.

30 This principle is connected to the divine atonement, which we will briefly discuss, in the following course when we learn what it means to be baptized into Christ.

Activity

4.4 Based on the lesson so far, what truth about the Church as the Mystery of Christ can be likened to the embryo (baby plant) hidden in a seed? Record your response in the diagram below.

Visibility Spiritual DNA Transformation THE CHURCH: LIFE SPRINGS FORTH FROM THE PLANTED SEED

Jesus refers to Himself as being “curiously wrought,” a phrase that, on the surface, means to skillfully weave together threads of different colors and textures to create a single, cohesive product. This means He was emphasizing that the Body of Christ is a diverse assembly, consisting of people from all races, nationalities, languages, and ages, yet united as one in Christ. Note that He also used this term to illustrate His transformation in hell, which took place when His soul was joined to the Holy Spirit.

Since the Holy Spirit is eternal, all who are united with Him partake in His eternal nature—this includes the Church. 28 This is why Scripture speaks of the existence of the Church before the foundation of the world. Thus, when Jesus’ soul was rejoined to God, it was also rejoined to all the members of the Church, who had been in God since eternity. 29 This explains why, in His prayer in Psalm 139:14-16, Jesus constantly references the Church. His reunion with the Holy Spirit was also a refashioning of the entire Body of Christ. All the members of Christ, chosen from eternity, were present in the Holy Ghost, brought into hell with Him, and made part of His resurrection. 30 Having been raised to life in the Holy Ghost, Jesus was then empowered to preach by the Spirit to others—like the Old Patriarchs listed in Hebrews 11—who were bound by death in the lower parts of the earth. As Hebrews 11:40 tells us, this work could not be completed without us, the other members of the Body of Christ.

CURIOUSLY WROUGHT: The Weaving Process THE CHURCH, CURIOUSLY WROUGHT IN THE LOWER PARTS OF THE EARTH

Activity

4.5 a) Reflect on the question and the response to it.

Question: Where were you before you were born?

Response: I was in the mind of God! b) In relation to yourself, why do you agree or disagree with the response? State one (1) reason supported with relevant scripture verses used in the lesson and in Ephesians 1:4-11 Reason for Agreeing with Response:

Reason for Disagreeing with Response:

Isaiah 53:10

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

After being remade in hell, Jesus went to retrieve some of those who were bound in the lower parts of the earth. None were holy enough to escape the pains of death, but Jesus, having paid the debt of sin, was able to set these captives free. Before ascending from the depths, He preached to those held captive by death and poured out the Holy Spirit upon them, enabling them to overcome death through the Spirit of life.

Ephesians 4:9-10

9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

1 Peter 3:18-20

18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. God allowed Jesus to suffer as a part of a bigger plan He had before the foundation of the world. Jesus’ death was the beginning of a new life for all who believe in Him. It was also the beginning of a new generation, from the seed of Christ. His death, burial, and resurrection would cause God’s plan to materialize.

After this great revival, Jesus emerged from the earth, not alone, but as the Head of a Body—the first of many members.

Because they arose from the earth and ascended into glory, Scripture refers to them as a cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1) or the spirits of just men made perfect (Hebrews 12:23).

DID YOU KNOW?

The Holy Ghost is a gift.

Activity

4.6 Examine the account of the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), paying keen attention to the question asked in verse 37 “men and brethren what shall we do?” a) Reflect on evidence of the multiplication of Jesus’ presence, i) on that day ii) through your life or others Jesus, having paid the debt of sin and ascended, is now able to pour out the Holy Spirit upon all who will receive Him. Each time someone receives the Holy Spirit, it not only brings salvation, but represents the multiplication of Christ. The single grain has now become many.

Now is the perfect time to offer our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ praise—not only for His death but also for His glorious resurrection and the opportunity to bear fruit by His life!

CONCLUSION

Here are some key points from this lesson for you to remember: LESSON 4

MAIN POINTS

Jesus as the “Planted Seed” of God’s Plan: Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are like a seed planted by God to grow and bring new life to the world.

Seed Characteristics that Symbolize Jesus: Just as a seed contains hidden life, Jesus carried God’s purpose and power within Him. He needed to “die” (like a seed planted) to bring life to many.

Jesus’ Death, Burial, and Resurrection Compared to Planting a Seed:

When Jesus died and was buried, it was like a seed hidden underground. His resurrection was like a plant sprouting, bringing new life to all believers.

God’s Redemptive Promise from Genesis 3:15 Fulfilled in Jesus:

In Psalm 139 and Matthew 27: 50-53, we see that Jesus’ journey was planned by God, fulfilling His promise to defeat sin and death, just as Genesis 3:15 foretold.

Hidden Substance in Christ as the Seed of Life: Scriptures like Psalm 139: 14-16 and Ephesians 1:4-11 show that Jesus’ life contained a hidden, divine purpose—to save and bring people back to God.

The Birth of the Church as Jesus’ Fruitfulness: Jesus’ death and resurrection gave life to the Church, like a seed that grows into a tree. The Church is the “fruit” of Jesus’ sacrifice, spreading His life to others (John 12:24).

The Revival in Hell: In His victory over death, Jesus brought revival to the souls in hell, freeing captives and demonstrating His power to bring life even in the realm of death (1 Peter 3: 18-20).

Multiplication of Jesus’ Presence Today: Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ presence continues to spread. Acts 2 shows this at Pentecost, and today, we see Jesus’ love and power at work in our lives and the Church.

How do you identify Jesus, as the “planted seed,” that represents God’s redemptive plan?
What does the concept of “hidden substance” within Christ, as shown in scripture verses like Psalm 139 and Ephesians 1, mean to you?
How easy is it for you to explain the spiritual operation by which the Church emerged from Christ’s sacrifice? If it is difficult, how will you address this situation?
In what ways do you see the multiplication of Jesus’ presence in your life or in the Church?

SELF-EVALUATION EXTENDED STUDY & LEARNING RESOURCES

Examine the diagram on the following page that highlights aspects of the revival in hell for a “rap” session with a group of young believers.

Provide one (1) key point from the lesson for each aspect, using the given Scriptures in the diagram.

Key Points on the Revival in terms of:

Cost Method Reach Outcome TASK 1

The self-evaluation serves as a tool for you to examine how you have been applying that which is taught in the lesson for your own life and/or to further probe your knowledge of the lesson. Please answer honestly and thoroughly.

THE REVIVAL IN HELL: Christ’s Victory Over Death The Cost of The Outcome of the Revival The Method & Reach of the Revival:

(2 Samuel 22: 5-6) (Ephesians 4: 8-9) (1 Peter 3: 18-19)

OR

Invite a group of believers to join in a celebration of Jesus’ life being manifested today. What will the celebration entail?

What gifts/talents could be incorporated in the celebration?

TASK 2

Learning Resources: The King James Bible, The Bible Teacher App