THE PARABLE OF THE GROWING SEED (Mark 4:26-29)

26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.
27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.
28 All by itself the soil produces grain-first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.
29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

A PARABLE ABOUT SPIRITUAL GROWTH

This brief parable about spiritual growth is found only in Mark’s gospel. It continues from the parable of the sower and describes the growth of the seed as mysterious, invincible and hardly noticeable. As in nature man does not make or control the process of plant growth, so in history the Spirit of God brings the kingdom to its completion or harvest. The kingdom is primarily God’s work and not the result of human action. There is a contrast between the mysterious hidden growth of God’s kingdom by divine initiative and the certain and glorious harvest at the end of this age. The gospel of Christ has its own power to transform individual lives and societies.

HOW THE KINGDOM OF GOD GROWS

It begins insignificantly yet it has great potential
One seed is tiny yet it grows by germination to become “ the full kernel in the head” . The following parable of the tiny mustard seed that grows into a large shrub makes the same point: There is a contrast between small and unpromising beginnings and hugely successful endings. For example, one man Abraham, became a “father of many nations” (Genesis 17:5) and the “father of all who believe” in Christ (Romans 4:11). The earthly ministry of Jesus was a time of sowing. Compare the Twelve disciples in Christ’s time with the world-wide international Church of today.

It is mysterious and secret
The farmer “does not know how” the seed grows in the earth. The mysterious life-force inherent in the seed grows it upward against the law of gravity. Similarly the kingdom grows as the truth with its life-giving power is sown in people’s hearts: “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:23). The individual believer grows in his relationship with God, regardless of a sinful environment. Just as we understand little of the process of natural growth, so we understand little about the process of spiritual growth. The kingdom is growing secretly and supernaturally all the time. Therefore it is a mistake to judge the progress of God’s kingdom by only what we can see.

It is automatic or spontaneous
“ All by itself the soil produces grain” . The soil makes the seed grow into plants “by itself” i.e. without human intervention. God gives it power. There is one word in the Greek, “automate”, from which we get the English word “automatically”. The life of the seed is present in the seed. While the farmer may sow, water and cultivate the crop, its quiet and continuous growth depends upon the God-given power dormant in the seed and its interaction with the soil. As the seed needs the right conditions for growth, so does the growth of the kingdom in our hearts. The seed grows “whether he sleeps or gets up.” We do not need to be anxious and struggle as the seed will bear fruit “all by itself” according to the providence of God. So God’s kingdom grows by the power of God alone. We may have confidence in what God is doing for he is in control.

It requires perseverance and faith
Some have called this story the parable of the patient farmer. Although the farmer does not understand how the crop grows, he waits patiently “night and day” in the daily routine of life, for the resulting harvest: “See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.” (James 5:7) Just like the farmer, the believer should trust the life of the kingdom to do its work of growth. Parables such the talents and the ten gold coins teach that God’s servants are required to be hard working and faithful, yet we also trust the transforming power that is in the gospel of Christ. The story is a call to patience.

It is God who gives the increase
There is a contrast between the inactivity of the farmer and the activity of growth. The farmer goes about his normal daily life and leaves the seed to the natural process of growth. God works in the life-containing seed. While we may sow the seed of the Word of God, carefully prepare the ground, and even water it, only God can give the increase: “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (1 Corinthians 3:7). This is a humbling and yet encouraging reminder that ultimate responsibility for the growth of the kingdom of God rests with God, and not with us.

It grows in successive stages
In nature the grain develops into maturity by the gradual stages of inevitable growth: “First the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head” . God works by process. The greatest oak tree was once an acorn. Some commentators find a reference to similar stages towards spiritual maturity in the Christian life. Compare John’s description of believers as being “dear children, young men, and fathers” (1 John 2:12-13). The Word sown in the human heart gradually and continuously brings “the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:11). God is quietly transforming believers “into the likeness of his Son” (Romans 8:29). The building of God’s kingdom takes time.

It comes to a climax in harvest
We may confidently wait for God’s timing as the harvest ripens to its fulfillment. This was how Jesus described his own death on the cross: “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (John 12:24-25). The principle of life through death is found in nature. Christ’s death was necessary for such a harvest of redeemed people to be reaped.
The kingdom of God will eventually achieve its goal at an appointed time: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15). The triumph of the kingdom is certain. The rule of Christ will one day be universally recognized. This does not mean that the world will steadily improve morally and spiritually until a man-made utopia arrives. It means that God is quietly yet decisively at work in our world, often unrecognized and unknown to us.
The promise of harvest (“ As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come” ) hints at God’s judgment at the end of this age of grace. T he prophet Joel compared judgment to harvesting grain: “Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe” (Joel 3:13; cf. Revelation 14:12-16). The parable of the weeds and the wheat (Matthew 13) employs similar imagery: “The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels” (verse 49). The time of harvest will come with the sickle of divine judgment.

FOR RELECTION

• Is the seed of God’s Word growing in your life?
• Are you reaching maturity in Christian character? Or are you still at the same stage that you were a year ago?
• Let us trust the seed of God’s Word, and trust the God who patiently works in the harvest field, that there will be a harvest.
• Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37-38). Are you taking part in the harvest that is already ripe?
• Consider the small beginning of the rule of God with its quiet gradual growth and reject our modern preoccupation with instant success and quick spiritual results.
• Despite the discouraging outward appearances to the contrary, God is at work in our sinful world and his final triumph in history is guaranteed.
• “Little is much when God is in it.”
• Am I aware of strategic times in my life, and in the lives of others, when the harvest is ripe?

PRAYER

Lord, we thank you that by faith in Christ we are part of your kingdom. We believe the tiny seed of our Christian life has eternal significance as we nurture it with faith and prayer. We are encouraged that nothing we do in the Lord’s service is ever useless. (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Jim Peacock M A (Hons), Diploma of Education