“And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. “ – Mark 4:26-29 (KJV)
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The Parable of the Seed

We have been seeing the metaphor of the seed used in two parables we have studied thus far – in the parable of the soils (or sower), and the parable of the wheat and tares.

In the former, the seed was a metaphor for the Word of God, and the focus of the parable was on the nature of the soils that received it. In the parable of the wheat and tares, the metaphor shifted, in that the good seed symbolized the sons of God, and the tares the sons of the devil. In both cases, the interpretation was clearly given to us by our Lord, offering us a key to understanding other parables.

This week’s parable (found only in the gospel of Mark) continues the metaphor of the seed. We are given no interpretation, but are now well equipped to understand it, given what we have already been told. This parable is a marvel in 4 verses in terms of the wealth of meaning it unlocks – it shows us many truths about the operation of the Kingdom of God that we absolutely need to understand!

Context: In the gospel of Mark, this parable immediately follows the parable of the soils, but is prefaced with an illustration of a lamp (Mark 4:21-25). Christ is the lamp and the light of the world, and He came to illuminate that which was HIDDEN. He says in that passage – “For there is nothing hid, save that it should be manifested; neither was anything made secret, but that it should come to light. If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Let’s open our ears and hearts to see what He has to say.

Interpretation: Drawing from the parable of the soils, we can be sure that the seed is God’s Word. The man is clearly called out as a character in the parable -different- from the soil – and he is shown to both sow and reap. We could cast Christ as the sower and reaper, were it not for the fact that the man is shown to sleep, and rise night and day, and also have no clue as to how the seed grows. That does not seem to fit with the nature of Christ – so we can be sure that an ordinary human is being shown in this particular instance.

Again, since we see the man shown as a character different from the blade, the ear, and the full corn in the ear – we are sure that this is not a wheat/tare conversation – because the man is shown along with the fruit, and there is only one kind of fruit (corn) in view in this parable. So how are we to interpret this? Do you see it yet? Its related to the main focus of the parable which is……..
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Key Message: A man may plant a seed, and reap a harvest, but the process of growing to fruit is something he cannot do, because it is the work of God. The process of the kingdom of God is similar – and this parable is about the process of the growth of the Kingdom of God!

Recall what was told to us in the parable of the soils. The fruit comes from the seed, not the soil. In this parable, while the man may plant a seed, and reap a crop - the magic, mystery and wonder of life comprehended in that simple seed that lies (apparently lifeless) in his hand, that can grow into a mighty oak tree or a stalk of corn – is something he still does not understand!

The truth of God is like that. Our Bible is a very small object (a book with written words) when you consider what is hidden in its pages. It can sit on a shelf and gather dust for most of our lives. Yet – when opened, read, and understood, what a wealth of spiritual change it effects in our hearts, minds and actions! What a treasure of cosmological, moral, and practical truths lies dormant in its midst, just waiting to flower and bloom and bring fragrance to our lives! When you think about all God has to say – isn’t it marvelous that He can crunch it down to such a small bundle – one book that contains more wisdom than multiple libraries? Seed indeed!!!!!!

Which brings us to a second miracle. GROWTH. How does a seed realize it is in the earth? What sense organs does it have to send out roots and seek out moisture? How can it weather adverse conditions yet still sprout when the time is correct? There are- three- characteristics of growth that are critical to note and are called out in the parable, the first one being…

A– it takes TIME! You may plant a seed and sit down and watch it for a day or two (or more) and nothing will seem to happen. But come back in a week or two weeks and you will be amazed at the changes that took place – seemingly overnight! (sleep and rise, night and day). So too is the growing of the truth of the Word of God in our hearts! We are often too impatient to see instant results (the words “Church Revival” spring to mind!) based on our activity – what we are told here is that OUR JOB IS TO SOW (and reap in due time) – Let God and the Spirit do the growing! A farmer knows that he cannot plant and harvest within a week – but must let patience do its perfect work, in the fullness of time!

B-it is a WORK OF GOD, not of man! Here is a kingdom principle worth keeping in mind. We can plant and water but it is God who gives the increase! (1 Corinthians 3:6) The work of the Spirit in sanctification and regeneration in our hearts is a mystery beyond knowing. “The wind blows and you can hear it’s sound, but you cannot tell where it is coming from or where it is going – so is everyone that is born of the Spirit.”- (John 3:8)

Yes we are called to active discipleship and obedience, and there are tools (bible reading, devotions, prayers, fellowship, breaking of bread, spiritual gifts) that are given to equip us for that purpose – but let us not for one moment think that it is our methods that are yielding the fruit. God will not give His Glory to anyone – its why His Calling, Election , Grace and Justification are sovereign – He is not beholden to Man for anything! He has graciously allowed us to participate in the kingdom process (sowing/reaping), but it is HE who is doing ALL the heavy lifting – and will not be denied – which brings us to our third point..

C- Growth is INEVITABLE. “So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of my Mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:11

If the Word of God has been planted in your heart, rest assured that a blade WILL appear, it WILL bring forth an ear, and the corn in due time. It cannot and will not die! It’s the same doctrine we are told elsewhere – once born again of the Spirit, you cannot be unborn. Once written in the Lambs of book of life, you are preserved from falling by His hand. Once saved, always saved – because its not you who saved yourself, you cannot therefore un-save yourself! Hallelujah! You may just be a blade today, but God already planned and designed an oak/cedar tree inside of you… and He will cause it to come to pass!

It is critically important to notice that the parable reminds us that a true Christian is always growing, always changing – going through a blade, ear, grain process. We must look to ourselves to discern if we are blades, ears, or corn – and look to cooperate with the Spirit with our growth, and not grieve Him!

As we said in the beginning, Christ (and the Spirit), in 4 verses, painted a picture of the growth of the Gospel and the Kingdom of God, opening our eyes to the miracle of growth that we see all around us, but never stop to think about! Our responsibility?

Work with God to plant His Seed by your words and actions by your life into the lives of people around you – don’t look for results – leave those up to Him. Just as you cannot see the growth of a seed when it is still underground, you have no idea of the impact a word or action today will have on a life tomorrow! Thank Him for planting His truth into your life, and work with Him as He molds and shapes you – join hands with others that are about His business – and above all – be patient!

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” – Gal 6:9

Hallelujah!