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e) The Parable of the Quietly Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29)
MARK 4:26-29
26 He said, “The Kingdom of God is as if a man should cast seed on the earth, 27 and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he doesn’t know how. 28 For the earth bears fruit: first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he puts forth the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
The kingdom of God is power proclaimed in the gospel. The word of our Lord is more powerful than dynamite, it works quietly, as a grain of wheat grows in the earth overcoming stones and set backs. Study the power of God which dwells in the gospel, that you may become strong and live forever.
As a grain of wheat is scattered on the ground by the sower, so the word of God is in need of an announcer. After Christ, the apostles laid the word of their Lord into the hearts of men. Did you also become a ring in the chain of Christ’s witnesses who multiply the word of life by communicating it to others?
Christ himself was the first heavenly grain of wheat. He died that we may live. After his death, his power worked in spite of the apostles’ weakness, so that thousands believed through their preaching. After a century, the seeds of the word of God were spread over the Mediterranean region. Today, our entire globe has become a field for God. Are you also a grain of wheat in the hand of Christ, that he may scatter you as he wills, as spiritual strength and nourishment for others? Do you live for yourself, or for your fellow man? Wherever your testifying word, together with your upright behavior affect your friends and even your enemies, there Christ must have planted you in prepared hearts. He establishes your word in their minds. Your testimony about Christ works automatically for in it is the motive of the power of God. It is not you who saves others, but the power of God in the gospel alone. Get up and preach the complete gospel. Then rest assured, and trust your Lord, for it is only his power, and not you, that builds his kingdom.
After that, faith grows in your friend with love and hope, as we learned from the parable of the grain of wheat, which grows naturally with its roots, stem, and precious head. Every heart that is filled with the gospel grows quietly and slowly according to the laws of the kingdom of God. So do not expect firstly the heads from new believers, or the prominent long stems, but be patient, rest assured, and trust the power of the gospel, which can overcome malice and evil in the hearers if they believe in their living Lord.
PRAYER: Amen, O heavenly Father, for you gave us your eternal life, and filled us with your mighty power that we might spread the word of your Son over this hard world. Forgive our sins, and consecrate us to a holy walk that we may not become a hindrance to your gospel, but serve many of those who grow for the glorification of your holy name. Amen.
QUESTION:
- What is the mystery of growing in the kingdom of God?