I have been having such a good time with my Advent Seed Calendar which my son and daughter-in-law gave me for Christmas. You can see it here, back in December, as I was opening a new flap each day to discover a new little packet of seeds.
Now that the weather is warming, I have started to plant my seeds. It is very exciting! The very first seeds I planted were Arugula, Butterhead lettuce, and Basil. I figured these might do well growing indoors.
I planted my Arugula seeds on Saturday afternoon. I expected at least a full week before any signs of green would appear. But much to my surprise, on Tuesday little bits of green were starting to poke through the soil.
By Wednesday the Arugula sprouts were fully up!
And by Thursday just look at them! Not even a week!
The planting tray was barren. Then in one day, life suddenly poked through! And now … the planting tray is full of life! It’s amazing the difference one day makes!
As I look at all the little Arugula sprouts springing up to life, I can’t help but think: what a terrific picture of the resurrection! Jesus was dead … placed in the tomb. But then one day life suddenly came bursting out of the tomb! It’s amazing the difference that one day made!
Now we all (everyone who trusts and believes in Jesus Christ) have that same resurrection power! Just like the planting tray is full of life springing up everywhere … that’s us now!
I think it’s absolutely beautiful that these “resurrection sprouts” – the very first seeds to spout – are from my Advent Seed Calendar. The seeds were a gift for Advent … in celebration of Jesus coming to earth.
Jesus (who is God) left Heaven and came down to earth to take on a human body just like us. Jesus lived a normal human life, just like us.
Jesus suffered hardships and temptations, just like us. Jesus lived a perfect life (which we should have lived). Jesus never did anything wrong – ever.
And Jesus was murdered. By jealous people who were afraid he might take away their power and control.
Jesus died. Jesus willingly gave his life in our place, for our sin, as a payment to God on our behalf.
I found it fascinating that I planted my Arugula seeds on Saturday … they were in the barren dirt Saturday night, Sunday night, and Monday night. Then on Tuesday (after 3 nights in the dirt) they came to life! That’s just like Jesus!
“Jesus Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” – 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Jesus defeated the grave and conquered death! And he gives that same resurrection power to us! WhooHoo!
“By his power God raised the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, and he will raise us also.” – 1 Corinthians 6:14
“We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus.” – 2 Corinthians 4:14
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” – Romans 8:11
“Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.’” – John 11:25-26
