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Mark 4:26-29 (New International Version) 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."
For me this is an interesting parable in the sense that it speaks towards the need for sincere faith founded in the Word of God recorded in the Bible. It points to our need for obedience verse our need for understanding.
Mark 4:26-27 (New International Version) “A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how."
The man in the parable spreads the seeds of the Kingdom of God by simply obeying and sharing from the Word of God recorded in the Holy Bible. How the seeds will manifest themselves in the lives of those hearing the message is not the man’s concern. The Triune God will cultivate the seed when the timing is right. Don’t get me wrong, this is not an excuse for careless spreading of the message of salvation through Jesus. We are still responsible for how we share and for making sure what we share is founded in the truth of the Holy Scriptures. But what it does make clear is that we are not capable of making the message take root and grow. We can only plant and even that only at God’s calling. The Holy Spirit is who will water the seed, nurture the seed and call it to life in Christ Jesus.
Mark 4:28 (New International Version) “All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head."
We must in all things acknowledge Christ as the center. We have a tendency to try to take credit for the work somehow judging success in our own worldly view. The apostle Paul warns us about thinking too much of ourselves in his letter to the Romans.
Romans 12:3 (New International Version) For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
There is nothing we can do to cause the seeds of the Kingdom of God to grow. We can only plant the seed through our obedience to His will. God cultivates and enriches the soil to produce His fruit. We do not know when the seeds of our obedience will fall on fertile ground. The timing is the Lords and we must only obey.
The Trinity of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit will reap the harvest when it is time. Only God knows the hearts of men. Only God knows what seed will take hold and which will not. We must not become judge and attempt to determine who is ready to receive and who is not. We must spread the seeds of salvation through Jesus Christ to all men, women and children. We are called to share in love that which was freely given to us. Jesus Christ is the complete example of love and we must echo that love in our words, our actions and our entire life. Jesus Christ will cause the seeds to spring forth, take root and create the harvest of souls that only Our Lord can nourish. To God belongs the glory.
» left by April Lorier(0) April Lorier (1 year 93 days ago.)
Richard, congrats on a well-written "sermon" on Jesus' Parable! It is my favorite parable in the Bible, and I'm responding specifically to this scripture: Mark 4:28 (New International Version) “All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head."
Too often, when a person comes to Christ, some of us expect the new Christian to act, think, and feel as we "older" Christians do. We forget that growth is a process! I sometimes wonder if new Christians walk away because we didn't allow them to grow as The Spirit grew them up. My father was a pastor, and I saw many come to Christ, but fewer persevered. What a frightening thought that some of us may have been stumbling blocks to these precious neophytes in Christ! God bless you, Richard, more than you ever thought possible. Respond to this comment
» left by Richard Miller(768) Richard Miller (1 year 93 days ago.)
April, I have to agree with you. That far too often, we assume the "new Christian" has completed their walk with their acceptance of salvation. The walk is just beginning. Even though we can't create the growth in people, our Lord and Savior surely uses us to help with the nourishing. May we all echo His love in our words, thoughts and deeds. God's blessings and thanks for your comments. The glory is all His! Respond to this comment
» left by robert from bacolod city (254 days 20 hours ago.)
what the relative of growing seed? Respond to this comment
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