The Parable of the Growing Seed

The Parable of the Growing Seed: Mark 4: 26 – 29:

Jesus also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. 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. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

The seed is the word of God. God’s Word is the agent of growth in the Kingdom of God in our lives, our communities and the Church. The Kingdom will grow as the seed, God’s Word, is planted and as the seed matures. God’s Word has life in itself, and we must sow that seed in order to see the Kingdom grow.

The parable teaches that

1) There must be a deliberate sowing of God’s Word – “A man scatters seed on the ground.”

2) To let the seed of God’s Word grow in our lives and in those lives where we are sowing , is not within our ability or responsibility. God lets the seed grow - “Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.”

3.) We have to be patient – it takes time for the seed to mature to a grown plant. We need to expect and accept God’s time frames for the effect of the sowing of God’s Word. “All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.”

4.) We need to be ready to harvest, to act, when in God’s time the fruit appears in our lives and in our church. We need a proper harvesting of the fruit of the seed of God’s Word that was sown. “As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

As we sow the Word of God, the seed will grow. The message of God to us is to keep sowing - wherever you go, whatever you do. Keep on scattering seeds. When you are with friends, plant a seed. When you are in the office, or playing, or talking with your neighbor across the fence, plant the seed.

As you do, God will begin to cause those seeds to germinate. He will give a great increase. We have to keep on sowing! God employs our efforts as we are faithful to plant those seeds and give ourselves to the work.

So cultivate the soil, plant the seed, water it and stand back and watch God at work. Harvest time is near.