The Growing Seed: Mark 4:26-29.
This parable is unique to Mark’s gospel record and it’s related to the Parable of the Sower, no doubt taught in the same context, but it’s a bit different. Whereas the earlier parable talks about different soil where the seeds fall, this parable focuses on the growth of the seed.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
This parable is unique to Mark’s gospel record and it’s related to the Parable of the Sower, no doubt taught in the same context, but it’s a bit different. Whereas the earlier parable talks about different soil where the seeds fall, this parable focuses on the growth of the seed.
The seed represents the Gospel of Christ, it grows because it’s designed to grow; designed by the Creator. Our advanced science may know all the details of growing plants, but still cannot fabricate the spark that sets life in motion. There’s something about a seed’s growth that is just out of reach of our comprehension, but that’s not really the point.
A few thoughts for consideration:
When a teaching begins with “This is what the kingdom of God is like,” it seems prudent to slow down and pay attention to the words which follow. God’s kingdom includes lots of seeds growing because they have been scattered on the ground, on soil that receives them. In some respects, this is confirmation of the call to preach the Gospel, to stand up and speak words of truth to an audience that is indeed a field of grain. God speaks in many ways. In Psalm 19 we read:
Though growth is mysterious, we must preach and teach the world while leaning firmly on the understanding the God will grow his seed. His word will result in continued growth, whether we know it or not. Daily study, prayer, devotion, simple acts of kindness–these are all elements of growth.
We do this continuously for our entire lives until that day when the harvester comes, when the time is right. It’s not up to us to debate the timing, but it is up to us to keep spreading the good news. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Help us Lord to be consistently persistent for your kingdom and for your glory.