Charlie Kirk … A Grain of Wheat
- Pastor Jay Christianson
- Sep 12
- 4 min read
“Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.” (John 12:24 CSB)
The remarkable thing about a single grain of wheat is the tremendous potential within it.
One grain under the proper conditions can create more grains, which can create even more grains, leading to a chain reaction of fruitfulness, even filling an entire field over time.
Under exceptional conditions, it happens faster and more richly.
When Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated two days ago, the above verse flooded my mind. It carried a deeply prophetic weight to me. Charlie was the spark that helped ignite a movement that was far more than a political wave. At its core, Turning Point USA’s impact was spiritual. Rather than politics influencing spiritual convictions, Charlie brought the spiritual realm to bear on the body politic of our entire nation.
I was stunned to see thousands of young adults, college students, gather on the grounds of Utah Valley University to hear Charlie calmly and respectfully share his faith, worldview, and conservative values with those who opposed all that he embodied.
A shooter sought to put an end to what I feel was the Lord’s work within our nation.
Killing the King’s messenger never works. The King will just send more, carrying the same fiery message. It happened with Jesus’ apostles who carried His message. It will happen with Charlie, whom a multitude of others follow. I believe what Charlie sprouted among the young people of this nation will continue to grow, flourish, and bear an abundant harvest, likely changing the face of the United States.
All because of one man’s death and the Bible’s Grain of Wheat truth.
Yesterday morning, I returned to John 12:24 to read the context of what Jesus said to His disciples during the hours preceding His death. The words leaped off the page.
“Jesus replied to them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified’” (John 4:23).
The Son of Man title primarily refers to Jesus. He will return to bring justice to this earth and establish His Father’s kingdom forever (Daniel 7:13-14). However, the Bible uses the phrase “son of man” commonly to refer to a person. Man or woman, we’re all “sons of man,” i.e., humanity.
Two days ago, it was time for a son of man to be glorified. Charlie Kirk gave his life in service to his King. There’s no greater glory for us disciples than surrendering the gift of life we’ve been granted back to our King. But understand this—Charlie had already surrendered his life to the King. On Wednesday, September 10, Charlie glorified His King in death as he had in his calm, kind, and resolute life.
“The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25).
To “hate one’s life” is not literal. Life is a gift from our King. “Hate one’s life” is a Hebrew idiom that means we must prefer living for Jesus over ourselves. Charlie did this in life. He enjoys eternal life now.
“If anyone serves me, he must follow me. Where I am, there my servant also will be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him” (John 12:26).
I’m astonished at the reactions I see on social media and the news. We learn a person’s impact on the world by the world’s response to their passing into eternity. The non-stop, in-depth, wall-to-wall coverage proves the immense influence on our nation that Jesus gave Charlie. Regardless of any honors Charlie received in life or will receive publicly after his death, they pale in comparison to the honor His King bestows upon him.
Charlie honored the Lord by following Him. Now the Lord honors Charlie by bringing him into His presence. Charlie stands alongside the multitude of nameless, faceless, unknown men and women followers of Jesus who gave their lives for Jesus. Charlie rejoices with all the “sons of men” now in united worship, and Charlie will be a part of the King’s entourage when He returns to wipe out evil on earth.
Evil that tried to silence truth.
But it will neither silence nor stop the truth.
“Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit” (John 12:24).
A grain of wheat has fallen into the ground and died. It will produce much fruit.
I don’t know what or how it will happen. That’s in the Lord’s hands. But I feel this will fuel the fires of revival already breaking out on college and university campuses. Amid the violence and rebellion of the 60s, the Holy Spirit swept through our country, countering hopelessness and death with hope and life through Jesus.
I believe we’ll see something even more potent in days, weeks, months, and years to come.
We’ll need to be prepared for a heavy harvest, a massive response of commitment and dedication to Jesus, because we’re in exceptional conditions. We must be ready to receive and mentor the new “heads of grain.” We must also be prepared to “fall to the ground and die,” even literally, if our King allows. We must “lose our lives” to gain eternal life by living right now for Jesus.
“Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit” (John 12:24).
“Two million Charlie Kirks will be minted because of this” (Liz Wheeler, Glenn Beck Program, 9/10/25).
Shining the Light of God’s Truth on the Road Ahead
Pastor Jay Christianson
The Truth Barista, Frothy Thoughts