[Photo by Karren McPherson.]
He 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.” [Mark 4:26-29 NIV]
We are left in no doubt that this parable refers to the 'kingdom of God,' because Jesus introduces this short parable with the words, "This is what the kingdom of God is like." There is more of a debate about what Jesus meant when he spoke about the kingdom of God. Some scholars suggest that this is referring to a future event for Israel only and does not refer to the church universal to which we as Christians belong. Others speak about the kingdom representing God's rule on earth and this is seen throughout the whole of the Bible. Vaughan Roberts sees a theme running through both the Old and the New Testament and the kingdom of God is the unifying theme. [Vaughan Roberts: God's Big Picture]
I am not going to enter into the debate over this in this blog today. However, I am convinced that the Gospels are relevant to us today and I believe that as believers in the Lord Jesus, we are part of God's kingdom. If you want to challenge this suggestion, I would welcome comments either privately or posted on the website (the host, Wix restricts comments to members only). If you want to post me your comments by email, I can post them on your behalf with your permission [dayshare153@gmail.com].
This is a parable about growth. It suggests that God's kingdom is growing independent of human activity. There are several clues to this in the short parable.
This growth takes place 'night and day' even though the person who sowed the seed is not active 24 hours per day
The growth does not require the man who sowed the seed to be present - 'whether he sleeps or gets up.'
The growth is not due to his knowledge or ingenuity. He is not able to explain the phenomenon of this growth - 'the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.'
'All by itself,' the grain emerges from the soil.
There are clearly defined stages in this growth. First of all it is just a stalk which comes from the ground. Then at the tip of that stalk, a head appears. This head grows and matures into the full kernel containing the wheat grains.
It is only when the grain is fully ripened, that it can be harvested.
[Picture by Karren McPherson - First Signs of Growth.]
"The parable lays stress on the fact that growth is a mysterious process independent of the will or act of man." [C.H. Dodd: The Parables of the Kingdom p134.] We are so eager to take the credit for growth in Christian service. We attribute a conversion to the sound preaching of a particular individual - usually with a mega personality. We emphasise human agency rather than see any growth in the kingdom as being first and foremost a work of God.
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. [1 Corinthians 3:6 NIV]
[See Day Share entitled, "Growth comes from God" 27/08/2021]
In my student says I spent long summers working in the local parks department. I drove a tractor round the streets of Stevenston and was part of the squad of labourers cutting grass and looking after the many flower beds. But when it was really heavy rain, the foreman, who was a Christian, used to announce in his broad South of Scotland accent - "Haw - lone boys, we wull lea it tae the guid Lord to dae His bit the dae." Apologies to those who might struggle with this. He was acknowledging the same truth that Jesus was teaching in this parable. We spent the day tidying in the greenhouses and sheds and allowed the rain to produce the growth. The point is that do often we get hung up with the humans who are involved in the church activities and forget that this is a divine work. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to see spiritual growth whether we are considering this at a church level or an individual level.
The parable ends with a reference to the future harvest when there is a time of judgement for the nations.
The sickle and the harvest are metaphors for the last judgement (Joel 3:13)
“Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side. Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow— so great is their wickedness!” [Joel 3:12-13 NIV]
Of course, as believers in the Lord Jesus we do not face that judgement but there is a judgement seat of Christ where we will be rewarded for service done in His name. If we have failed in our service or if we have done service out of the wrong motive, we will lose our reward but our salvation is unaffected. [See Day Share entitled "The Day" 02/09/2021]
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