In Genesis, eating from the tree of the knowledge of Good and evil is what Satan gets Adam and Eve to do. Their eyes are open to the fact that everything is not what it seems. They perceive the spiritual realm for the first time. God says you will surely die if you eat from it, talking about a spiritual death.
But Jesus reminds us that unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it bears no fruit. it's also evident in my opinion why Jesus says if you love your life (the one you planned before living it) you will lose it, but if you lose your life for my name's sake, you will find it. This world is fallen and filled with corruption. The ones who realize the Great Commission is the highest calling possible can bear fruit.
Very similar to The matrix movie where if you take the red pill your eyes are opened and you can see, but if you take the blue pill life is business as usual. The ultimate goal of course is to find Jesus Christ and return home as the prodigal sons and daughters.
Steve M