Let’s explore the parable of the Growing Seed. Jesus teaches us a lesson involving the planting of seed to inspire the Growth of God’s Kingdom. God’s garden of man in the world…
Mark 4:26-29
26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
Planting Seed in God’s Garden
The Growing Seed
God’s Word as Seed
The lesson from Jesus begins with a comparison between the Kingdom of God and A man casting seed into the ground. Growth must always begin with seed. And in this case that growth must begin with someone planting the seed. The seed can be likened to the word of God.
Plant The Seed
The planting of the seed is compared to our responsibility to share the message of salvation with the world. Without sharing the message there is no foundation upon which to grow the seed. So the seed must be planted into fertile soil to flourish.
God’s Garden Grows
The Growing Seed
Slowly Sprout and Grow
He continues talking about how the time passes day and night. And the seed will sprout and grow but the man does not know how this happens. Jesus is telling us not be discouraged when spreading the Gospel in the world. Speaking the word of God plants the seed but it is not up to us to make it grow. Growth will come by the will of God when he chooses.
Growth is Independent
The growth is independent of the farmer. It sprouts from the seed and grows toward the light. It grows from life within itself. He teaches us here that once we share the message of salvation the growth comes from within the believer. Falling upon a true and open heart is fertile ground and a seed will grow from within. Though we do not know how the seed grows we know it is by the power of God’s Spirit. The word of God is filled with the power of life.
God’s Harvest
The Growing Seed
Growing Slowly and Bearing Fruit
The earth brings forth the fruit herself. First the sprout, the blade. Then the ear begins, then fills with the kernels to become the full ear of corn. Jesus is focusing here on the final purpose. Seed that falls on fertile ground will still require time to grow. As the light touches the sprouts and the rain falls it encourages the seed to continue to grow. It will grow slowly but steadily toward it’s final maturity. Growing gently toward bearing it’s fruit.
The Harvest of the Crop
But when the fruit is brought forth it is time for the harvest of the crop. Here Jesus speaks to the success of the Kingdom of God. That we need only plant the seed of the word. It will spread on it’s own. It will sprout and continue it’s growth guaranteeing success through the power of the Spirit. And it will continue to spread and fill the world until the time comes for the Great Harvest. When the Lord comes to take his crop home…
The Lord Will Take Us Home…
For The Love of God,
Sparks
