For what is possibly about the six thousandth time, the earth once again witnesses the miracle of rebirth. In the Northern hemisphere many plants dormant over winter are now beginning to show the unmistakable signs of new life, heralded in England by the flowering of the spring bulbs followed by the emergence of the unequalled new green leaf. Although the timing of this remarkable event will, of course, be different elsewhere, the same miracle takes place the world over. Amongst this new greenness there will be new seedlings, recently germinated, and there will also be new leaves on perennial plants. These interesting developments have many features in common.
Emergence of plant life is controlled by two things: the dormancy of the plant and the effect of external conditions. Together, these dictate the right moment for the start of complex chemical processes leading to germination or to bud growth. These annual events are not only remarkable features of creation, they also confirm to us the everlasting goodness and wisdom of God. Moreover, the rebirth of the planet repeats the promise of the Almighty in two distinct ways.
Total dependence
In the most immediate sense, the growth of plants assures man of the continuity of his food supply: "... seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease" (Gen. 8.22). That is the promise of God. Yet, never has there been a time when so many appear to take food for granted. Man's dependence on God is absolute, and an interruption by Him for just a single year would cause disaster. All readers of this magazine will understand the immediate effect such would have in a world in which the global stock of food may be measured in weeks. No event in the annual cycle of nature is so essential to mankind as the rebirth of the plants. That they have never failed in six thousand years, except in special circumstances, is testimony of the highest order to the reliability of God's promise of die continuity of life.
The hidden assurance in plant life
The deeper meaning to the awakening of spring carries an even more important promise. It is found in the greatest chapter of rebirth: "That which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain" (1 Cor. 15.36-37). Thus Paul uses the timeless message of the seed to teach the literal nature of the resurrection, as well as its glory. He rightly observes that the green seed is unfit for germination. In losing its greenness, the life processes of the seed become quiescent until the time of germination.
Few symbols provide such comfort in describing those awaiting resurrection; because, although giving no support to orthodox ideas of a conscious state after death, the seed teaches that the essential elements of life are preserved by the Creator. In reality, it is more than that: dormancy is designed to ensure that the seed is protected until the time is right. The seed must rest until it is ready to grow; otherwise it might exhaust its reserves. The use of the seed in this way by Paul also powerfully illustrates the difference between the present condition of man and that which shall be in God's mercy. The humble seed provides a striking contrast with the mature plant.
Christ the firstfruits
Paul derived another symbol from plants, and used it in the first letter to Corinth. "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Cor. 15.20). The apostle is not depicting the gradual development of a seed. The illustration at once takes the reader past the seedling stage to behold the mature plant: one which is already bearing fruit. Others raised at the time of Jesus did not share this outstanding progress to full maturity, and therefore Jesus could be described as the firstfruits. The expression assists our appreciation of the power of resurrection when it is followed by immortality. It provides the contrast of the earthy with the heavenly. No event in the history of our hope surpasses the importance of the resurrection of Jesus. It is the greatest fact of history. It is the fact which explains all other facts.
Permanent renewal
God has promised the faithful the change of nature symbolised in 1 Corinthians 15 by the glorious fruitful plant. When will this be? Recalling that plants emerge at a predetermined time, it would be reasonable to conclude that the analogy of plant growth applies here too. Plant growth occurs at the right time. All true seed germinates when the time and conditions are right. It is clear that the same will apply to this special human rebirth of the future.
Plant rebirth not only reminds us of resurrection, it also conveys the picture of the wider renewal, and miracle of new life offered to man in the Kingdom at the coming of Christ. The Wise Man also used the analogy of plant renewal to symbolise the coming of the Bridegroom. "For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the/lowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come" (Song 2.11-12).
Take the opportunity this spring to meditate on the promise of eternal spring. With this hope in mind, look forward to the change leading to renewal and that which accompanies it. Those seeking immortality are seeking change. That is one more reason for not being conformed to this world.
A.A.P.