26He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” Mark 4: 26-29, NIV
This rarely quoted parable found in the Gospel of Mark packs a powerful message. Here Jesus is explaining further what the Kingdom of God is like. In previous verses, Jesus tells the very familiar story about the “sower” and various kinds of soils. As a pastor, I have always found great encouragement in those verses. At times we (pastors/leaders) can “beat up on ourselves,” because the seeds we have been prayerfully, painstakingly sowing appear to produce such minimal fruit. Interestingly, Jesus’ emphasis is not placed upon the sower, but the soil…the parable of the sower…”
But in this subsequent parable, Jesus further emphasizes the relationship between “the Kingdom of God” and the seed scattered upon the ground. Jesus says, “Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain…”
As humans we tend to take too much credit either way…when the “seeds” don’t seem to grow, we tend to blame ourselves. When the seeds blossom and flourish, particularly in the church, we tend to attribute it to some great work that we’ve done and others have not. But Jesus says, “Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain…”
We really don’t know how God causes the “seed” of His Word, the “seed of love,” the “seed of faithfulness,” to grow in the hearts of people. We cannot take credit either way…we don’t know how! We are simply called to “scatter the seed.”
If you are discouraged, pray for the faith to continue to scatter the seed. Remember, God controls the harvest. If you are experiencing abundant growth, in humility realize that it’s not you or your great programs, but it’s God’s seed, God’s soil, God’s harvest. We don’t know how. We are simply called by faith to scatter the seed. Be encouraged seed sower, God will see to it… “first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head…" As soon as the grain is ripe, God will put the sickle to it. He alone knows when it's harvest time.
Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com
Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org
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