Quick Summary:

Nikolai Vavilov was a pioneer in plant genetics who, beginning in 1916, mounted 100+ expeditions to collect seeds and tubers from as many of the world’s indigenous plant species as he could get his hands on. Through the efforts of Vavilov and his colleagues, the seed collection grew to number more than 200,000 separate species, which he used to establish the world’s first seed bank. Vavilov's work is highlighted in the John de Graaf film, GENETIC TIME BOMB.

During the siege of Leningrad, Vavilov’s colleagues guarded and preserved his seed bank, choosing starvation for themselves rather than eating seeds from the collection, They put their lives on the line, so that a precious and irreplaceable heritage would be preserved. They were willing to die in order that future generations might live.

“Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

Jesus was a teacher, a prophet, a healer. He had the power to caste out demons, restore crippled bodies, forgive sins—even raise up the dead. But these powers and gifts and attributes would have no enduring power unless he completed the mission God had sent him to fulfill. The life he offered the world could only grow from his death.

Have you ever had to die in order to live?