Growing Up

Growing Up

Mark 4:26-29, NLT

Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. 27Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. 28The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. 29And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.”

Setting the Scene

This Kingdom parable is found only in Mark, and its main point is that spiritual growth is continual, gradual, and totally caused by God. The farmer’s faithfully scattered seeds germinate, sprout, and grow. Although the farmer doesn’t know how all this happens, he can depend on the process and can be certain of the growth of his crop.

In the same way, God’s Kingdom begins in a person’s life with a seed of understanding that takes root, through the Holy Spirit, in the good soil of the person’s heart. That seed sprouts and grows into strong faith. But how that happens is God’s responsibility. While God uses his followers to plant the seeds, he gives the growth. As Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers, “I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6, NLT).

The disciples must have wondered about the difficult mission ahead of them, so Jesus explained they need not worry about how the Kingdom would grow. That part was up to God alone. Their job was to plant the seeds.

The planting and growing seasons won’t last indefinitely, however. Eventually God will intervene and “harvest,” separating the grain from the weeds (Matthew 13:30). The weeds (unbelievers) will receive judgment for sin; the good grain (believers) will be ushered into God’s eternal Kingdom.

Getting Personal

What has God used (people, crises, conflicts, challenges, insights, etc.) to help you grow in your faith?

In what ways have you matured in your faith over the last few years; that is, how are you a different person than you were three years ago?

What new believers are you encouraging and nurturing?

The two strongest lessons from this passage are the importance of sowing and the necessity of trusting. In talking about the inevitable harvesttime, Jesus was saying that we have a limited time to spread his Word. We should not become complacent or relax; instead, we should continue to live and speak God’s truth. At the same time, however, we have to trust God to work in people’s lives to produce the desired results.

Talking to God

Ask God to give you such a love for the truths you find in God’s Word that your life overflows in living it and sharing it with others. Trust God for the spiritual development of others, even as you share the gospel with them.