The Corn of Spiritual Maturity
Through the metaphor of corn, a compelling revelation of spiritual growth - from tender shoot to hundredfold harvest - and God's patient cultivation in believers' lives.
"But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold." - Matthew 13:8 (KJV)
In the grand tapestry of God's creation, even the humble ear of corn whispers profound spiritual truths to those with ears to hear. As we ponder the nature of spiritual growth, let us consider the corn, how it grows, and what it reveals about our journey in Christ.
Picture, if you will, a field of corn stretching as far as the eye can see. Each stalk stands tall, green leaves rustling in the breeze, golden tassels catching the sunlight. Yet, it is not the outward appearance that holds our attention, but the hidden treasure within each husk. For there, nestled in rows of divine order, lie the kernels - some thirty-fold, some sixty-fold, and some a hundred-fold.
How marvelous is our Lord's design! For in this simple plant, He has given us a powerful metaphor for spiritual maturity. Just as each ear of corn contains kernels of varying fullness, so too does the body of Christ consist of believers at different stages of spiritual growth. Some are newly planted, tender shoots just breaking through the soil of salvation. Others have weathered storms and stand firm, their faith deeply rooted. And then there are those rare souls who have yielded their all to the Master Gardener, allowing Him to nurture them to the fullness of Christ's stature.
"Are we content with thirty-fold growth when the Lord is calling us to sixty or a hundred-fold?"
Yet, let us not be content with mere observation. The Apostle Paul admonishes us, "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able" (1 Corinthians 3:1-2, KJV). We are called to grow, to mature, to press on from thirty-fold to sixty-fold, and ultimately to hundred-fold fruit.
But how does this growth occur? It is not by our own striving, dear ones, but by yielding to the gentle yet persistent work of the Holy Spirit. Like the corn that draws nourishment from the soil and strength from the sun, we must root ourselves deeply in God's Word and bask in the light of His presence. It is in this place of intimate communion that our outer husk - the cares and distractions of this world - begins to fall away, revealing the golden kernels of divine nature within.
Yet, let us also heed the sobering truth: unlike the tomato that continues to ripen after picking, the corn's maturity is fixed at harvest. Oh, what a stirring call to diligence this is! We must make the most of our time on this earth, for it is here and now that our spiritual character is being formed. Each day, each moment is an opportunity to yield more fully to God's transforming work, to allow Him to increase our capacity for His life and nature.
"Unlike the tomato that continues to ripen after picking, the corn's maturity is fixed at harvest."
As we survey the field of our own lives, let us ask: What manner of corn are we producing? Are we content with thirty-fold growth when the Lord is calling us to sixty or a hundred-fold? Are we allowing the Master Gardener full access to every area of our lives, or are we holding back certain plots, deeming them unfit for His attention?
Dear reader, the Lord desires to bring forth in you a bountiful harvest, a life so filled with His nature that it nourishes and blesses all who partake of it. Will you surrender today to His careful cultivation? Will you allow Him to strip away all that hinders growth, to water you with His Word, to shine upon you with His love until you stand tall and fruitful in His field?
Let us pray:
Our Heavenly Father, Master Gardener of our souls, we come before You in humble adoration. We thank You for the precious seed of eternal life You have planted within us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, we acknowledge that our growth thus far has been by Your grace alone, yet we hunger for more. We desire to be not just thirty-fold or sixty-fold Christians, but to press on to the hundred-fold life You have called us to.
Father, we invite Your searching gaze upon the field of our hearts. Uproot any weeds of sin or self that choke our growth. Break up the fallow ground of complacency and lukewarmness. Water us deeply with Your Word and warm us with the sunshine of Your love.
Lord Jesus, You are the perfect example of spiritual maturity. Conform us to Your image, we pray. Holy Spirit, work in us mightily, bringing forth the fruit of righteousness in abundance.
And Father, give us discernment to recognize spiritual maturity in others, that we might learn from them and be inspired to greater growth ourselves. May our lives become a rich harvest that brings glory to Your name and nourishment to those around us.
We offer ourselves fully to Your tending, trusting in Your perfect wisdom and unfailing love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)
Based on Wade Taylor's message "The Song of Solomon — Part 1."
