The Seed Corn
J. Krummacher. John 12:24-26 Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it stays alone: but if it die… Two travellers, journeying together, tarried to rest by the way at an inn, when suddenly a cry reached their ears that there was a fire in the village. One of the travellers forthwith sprang up, and leaving his staff and his bundle behind him, hastened to afford assistance. But his companion strove to detain him, saying, "Why should we waste our time here? Are there not hands enough to assist? Wherefore should we concern ourselves about strangers?" The other, however, hearkened not to his words, but ran forth to the fire; when the other leisurely followed, and stood and looked on at a distance. Before the burning house there was a mother transfixed with horror, and screaming, "My children! my children!" When the stranger heard this, he rushed into the house among the falling timbers, and the flames raged around him. "He must perish!" exclaimed the spectators. But after they had waited a short time, behold, he came forth with scorched hair, bringing two young children in his arms, and carried them to their mother. She embraced the infants, and fell at the feet of the stranger; but he lifted her up, and spoke words of comfort to her. The house meanwhile fell with a dreadful crash. As they two, the stranger and his companion, were returning to the inn, the latter said, "But who bade thee risk thy life in such a rash attempt?" "He," answered the former, "who bids me put the seed corn into the ground, that it may decay and bring forth new fruit." "But how," said the other, "if thou hadst been buried beneath the ruins?" His companion smiled, and said, "Then should I have been the seed corn myself." (J. Krummacher.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. WEB: Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.