PARABLE OF THE GROWING SEED

[Albert Finch]

Mark 4:26-29 - 26 And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; 27 and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know. 28 The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. 29 But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” - NASB

It differs greatly from the parable of the sower, although both of them are founded upon the imagery of the seed cast into the ground. In both cases the seed represents the doctrine of the gospel; the field represents the hearers; the harvest the end of the world, or perhaps the death of each individual hearer. So is the kingdom of God, in its progress from its establishment to its completion. In spiritual things, the sower commences the work, and the grace of God perfects it in the heart which receives these influences. The earth beareth fruit of herself. In like manner, by degrees, the faith of Christ increases through the preaching and teaching of the gospel; and the Church grows and expands. And what is true of the Church collectively is true also of each individual member of the Church. For the heart of each faithful Christian produces first the blade, when it conceives good desires and begins to put them into ACTION; then the ear, when it brings them to good effect; and lastly the full corn in the ear, when it brings them to their full maturity and perfection. Hence our Lord in this parable intimates that they who labor for the conversion of souls ought, with much patience, to wait for the fruit of 'their labor, as the husbandman waits with much patience for the precious fruits of the earth. - Pulpit Commentary

Like many other parables, it finds an interpretation in the analogous phenomena of the growth of the Kingdom (1) in the world at large, (2) in the heart of each individual. Speaking roughly, the Sower is, as before, either the Son of Man or the preacher or teacher of His word, and the ground falls under one or other of the heads just defined in the previous parable, with, perhaps, a special reference to the good ground. - Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

This parable of the good seed shows the manner in which the kingdom of God makes progress in the world. Let but the word of Christ have the place it ought to have in a soul, and it will show itself in a good conversation. It grows gradually: first the blade; then the ear; after that the full corn in the ear. When it is sprung up, it will go forward. The work of grace in the soul is, at first, but the day of small things; yet it has mighty products even now, while it is in its growth; but what will there be when it is perfected in heaven! - Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

Many of us are keenly aware that we have endured the plowing, preparation, cultivation, and planting with seeds from the Heavenly granary. Some have Divine seeds within their hearts they have nurtured for years, not knowing when their yield will come to fruition.
What farmer would plant, without fully intending to see a mature crop as the fruit of his labor? The planter and the waterer can rejoice and anticipate the gathering, as in Psalms 126:6, "He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." Our great expectation is securely founded upon the promises of God. After all, the Scriptures proclaim God DOES make things grow, not God might make things grow.

Soaking seeds ends dormancy, stirring up the life process hidden beneath their protective covering. Seeds can remain in a granary for years, preserved in their dormancy, but they're useless there. We know a seed must fall to the ground and die. Then, with proper care, and soaking/watering, dormancy ends and the anticipated crop will spring forth. In other words, a seed becomes fruitful by the giving up of self, like Christ.

SOAKING THE SEEDS

Do we soak in Living Water? We must return to our Provider daily, just as the manna was provided to the Israelites in their wilderness experience--daily. Yesterday's manna will not do.

Do we allow God's presence to work in us for His will and His good purposes, creating in us the fruit of the spirit?

Do we nurture Christ, the seed within us, realizing that as we are transformed into His image, and as the seed reaches maturity, we are the will of God "on earth as it is in Heaven?"

Or, does our flesh yet willfully contend for our own harvest?

Seeds soaked in hot water germinate very quickly. After soaking in hot water, the sprouting and growth phase will accelerate. There can be a "suddenly" resulting from our yielding to the ways of the Harvester. The more we yield--the more we will yield (produce).

And may we remember that purification often takes place in the desert where it seems dry and desolate. But, in truth, God is always "reigning" even in the desert where the Spirit may have led us. Rejoice, for "the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will burst into bloom." Isaiah 35:1

But as we go on our way, seeds can be choked by life's worries, riches, and pleasures, and they will not mature without soaking in the Living Water (Luke 8:14). Jesus is our Master Gardener and, as we see in Isaiah 52:15, "...He purposes to sprinkle many nations...." which is often compared to rain or water.

WE NEED TO BE ASKING OURSELVES:

"Do I really want growth?
Have I become dormant in the process of seeking my own comfort?
Do I remain inert, safe within my shell, because I know that growth most often creates tension?"

Remember, the enemy's purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. Some seeds may be sluggish, complacent, or inactive, indicative of a slow death. The devil is coy and won't just kill the seeds instantly. Rather, he takes years deviously trying to mutate seeds of the righteous. However, the Good News promises Jesus has come to give life abundantly!

THE FIELDS ARE RIPE

The Heavenlies are seeded with intercession. The fields are ripe and harvest time is near. Are you parched? Do you feel dormant? The rain is coming--soak the seeds!

Turn away from anything that would take preeminence over your time with the Master Gardener. Allow Him to uproot anything in your garden that hinders growth. Jesus provides water from His pierced side and again, as He promised, "You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."

Living Water, "reign" down on us!

Our Father promises in Revelation 21:6, "I will give to the thirsty the springs of the Water of Life--as a gift!" He says only to those who are thirsty will He give that gift. God never forces His Living Water on anyone. But, He does promise to fill those who are thirsty (Matthew 5:6).

CONFIDENCE IN THE GROWTH PROCESS IS DISPLAYED BY THE MAN WHO SOWED THE SEED (THE WORD OF GOD) - MARK 4:26-29. IT WILL PRODUCE IF ALLOWED TO RUN ITS FULL COURSE.

THAT IS HOW WE ARE BORN AGAIN "NOT OF CORRUPTIBLE SEED, BUT OF INCORRUPTIBLE, BY THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH LIVETH AND ABIDETH FOREVER" (1 PETER 1:23). THAT'S WHY FAITH IS SO EASY FOR THE PERSON WHO SPENDS TIME AFFIRMING AND MEDITATING THE WORD. IT IS "NATURAL" TO THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE ARE BORN TO DO. - Albert Finch Ministry

Affirmations:

IT IS UP TO ME JUST HOW FAR I GO WITH THE FAITH HE HAS GIVEN ME.

FAITH IS THE DOORWAY TO ABUNDANCE.

THE GROWTH OF MY FAITH IS NOT LIKE THE GROWTH OF NATURAL THINGS THAT HAVE BUILT-IN LIMITATIONS.

THE ONLY LIMITS ON THE GROWTH OF MY FAITH ARE THERE BECAUSE OF ME, NOT BECAUSE THE FATHER HAS LIMITED IT IN ANY WAY.

I SPEND TIME DEVELOPING MY FAITH BY AFFIRMING, MEDITATING, AND SEEING MYSELF IN THE WORD OF GOD AND APPLYING IT TO OVERCOME THE STORMS OF LIFE.