Dear CCAM Partners and Friends,

During this Christmas season, we have been encouraged by reminders from God’s Word that Jesus Christ is the one and only promised “Seed,” also called Messiah or Savior! 

Immediately after Adam and Eve committed the first sin, which caused the sin nature to be passed to the whole human race through the seed of Adam, the virgin birth of Jesus Christ through the “seed” of a woman was prophesied in Genesis 3:15.  Throughout the Bible, this promise was continually proclaimed, especially in Isaiah 7:14, until it was eventually fulfilled in Matthew 1:22-23, and Luke 1-2.

Also, God said to Abraham in Genesis 22:18a, “And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed…” The true significance of this prophecy is explained in Galatians 3:16: “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed.  He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as referring to many, but rather to one, ‘And to your seed,’ that is Christ (who was born of the Virgin Mary, a descendant of Abraham).”

Jesus compared His sacrificial death on the cross to the sowing of a seed:  “Truly, truly, I say to 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.” (John 12:24)  True believers are the seed-bearing fruit produced through Christ’s death, who seek to follow His example of “incarnational living” by becoming living sacrifices as bondservants of God.  (Philippians 2:5-8; Romans 12:1-2)

“Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.  He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:5-6)

So what is the seed that we believers are to sow in our service to God?  Of course, the most important seed is the Word of God (Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 8:4-15; 1 Peter 1:23-25), along with those “mustard seeds” of faith to empower our prayers (Luke 17:6).  But we may also sow the resources that God has entrusted to us…like talents/spiritual gifts, possessions, money…as well as our time and energy.  (Romans 12:4-8; Acts 2:44-47; 2 Corinthians 8-9)

And believers themselves are often called “seeds”:  “For there will be peace for the seed (the remnant, or true believers):  the vine will yield its fruit… and I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit all these things.” (Zechariah 8:12)

Therefore, God calls His remnant to “…lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and …run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him (our salvation!) endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Like Jesus, we too can experience joy even in the midst of trials, not just at the end of them!  We too can sow perseverance into our lives by looking forward to hearing Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  (Matthew 25:21, 23)  Besides, joy is one of the many enduring spiritual fruits produced in our lives through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, regardless of our circumstances. (Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 4:11-13)

As we revisit the inspiring story of Jesus’ birth in Luke’s Gospel, our hearts are being stirred anew by the angel’s proclamation:  “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people: for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord!” (Luke 2:10-11)

May this same joy continually refresh all of us as we press forward, no matter the cost, to sow our seed in the fields to which God’s Seed Jesus Christ calls us! (1 Corinthians 3:6-9)

Partners with God and with You,
The CCAMS Family

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