God promised to supply plenty of wheat to the children of Israel in Old Testament days when they obeyed Him. No gift among His promises of food was more valuable. Wheat was used by the Lord Jesus as an example when He spoke of Himself saying, “Except a corn [kernel] of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John 12:2424Verily, 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. (John 12:24). By this He meant that His death on Calvary’s cross would be the means of giving everlasting life to the great number of people who would believe on Him.
A wheat plant starts with a single stalk, then it “tillers” and sends out a whole cluster of stalks. At the top of each shaft as many as 100 new grains form, and when ready for harvest, a field of wheat is a beautiful sight. As the life-sustaining food for millions of people throughout the world, we can see how suitably He, the Everlasting One, used wheat as an example of Himself, “the Bread of Life.” Kernels of wheat have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs, still edible and capable of sprouting to “bring forth much fruit.”
Examined under a microscope a grain is seen to be composed of three parts. Bran forms the outer covering. Many breakfast foods contain bran, and bran muffins are delicious, too, aren’t they?
At the base of each grain is a small but important part of the kernel. It is the wheat germ which is full of nutrients—the basis of new life. This is where the kernel sprouts when planted. When bakers make white bread they first remove the wheat germ, and in doing so valuable vitamins and oils are lost. Wheat germ is packaged and sold for a topping to salads, or for sprinkling over various foods to make them more tasty and healthful.
The larger section of the kernel is called the endosperm, providing the bulk of the flour that comes when the wheat is ground in a mill. Starch and gluten, the things that hold bread together, are found here. The baking quality of any flour depends on the amount of gluten in it. Only wheat contains this important item. When other grains (such as oats or rye) are used by the baker, he will often blend wheat flour with them for this purpose.
When we think of this important source of food providing life to millions of people, let us remember that its life-giving qualities are a reminder of God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. It was He who proclaimed, “I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:1111I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11). In another Bible verse He said, “I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” John 6:3535And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (John 6:35).
Aren’t these lovely illustrations? Do you believe them?
ML-12/25/1983