The Parable of the Growing Seed

Introduction

Mark introduces us to a parable that is not found in the other gospels. It is unique to the Gospel of Mark. It comes in the middle of several parables that are apparently told in one setting. There are four all together and each builds on the other. We have seen the parable of the sower, the parable of the lamp on a stand, and now we see the parable of the growing seed. The next one is the parable of the mustard seed which we will look at in a few weeks. For now, let’s look at the Parable of the Growing Seed.

Mark 4:26–29 NIV84

26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

We have four verses packed with great meaning. First, notice the subjects.

The Subjects

The Sower

The first subject is the sower. As seen in the previously mentioned parable, the sower is to sow the seed. The sower’s sole responsibility is to cast seed, but we also see that the sower sleeps . To help us understand this meaning for us, the sower is anyone who is a Christian that shares the love of Christ to those who are not Christians. Sower is each one of us that has been given the opportunity to share Christ. We are to cast the seed of His love which is the second subject of this parable.

The Seed

The seed is simply cast so a crop can be established. The seed is sown to produce fruit. A seed’s sole purpose it to reproduce. The seed is not just cast for pleasure and for something to do. It is cast for a purpose. As I have already mentioned, the seed is the love of Jesus. What are you doing to cast your seed?

The Soil

The third subject in this parable is the soil. We have seen from the previous parable that there are many types of soil. The soil determines how the seed will grow. We have also seen that how the soil receives the seed determines how well it will grow.

But the parable is not about these three subjects. The parable is about the sovereignty of God.

The Sovereignty

Sovereignty means “the status , dominion, power or authority.” There are multiple references in Scripture that refer to God as Sovereign. Although it is not mentioned here, the Sovereignty of God is fully demonstrated in this parable. Notice how the Sovereignty of God in the process.

The Process

The process is that the sower sows the seed. Then notice what the sower does. Look really close. Do you see it? The sower does absolutely nothing. The sower does not cause that seed to germinate. A botanist would tell us that the process of seed germination includes five changes or steps: imbibition (the water absorbing into the seed), respiration, effect of light on seed germination, mobilization of reserves during seed germination, and role of growth regulators and development of the embryo axis into a seedling. The sower doesn’t do that. Only a Sovereign God can make that process happen!

The Production

As this process of germination takes place, the seed becomes a production machine. It matures! In this example, “it produces grain- first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.” The production of the seed contains within itself a power of generation and an orderly process of growth. Again, the sower doesn’t do that. Only a Sovereign God can make that production happen!

The Prevalence

God is also in charge of the prevalence that takes place. God’s omnipresence and His omniscience is widespread and it is superior to none other. God makes it happen. God causes that seed to grow, produce kernels and causes the reproduction to take place. Man is the beneficiary of the seed’s growthThis process in the Christian’s life is the process of sanctification.

The Sanctification

Sanctification is the ongoing supernatural work of God to rescue justified sinners from the disease of sin and to conform them to the image of his Son. Let me explain this further as it appears in this parable.

The Grain

The ultimate goal is for the seed to produce grain that is useful to multiply the Kingdom of God. The grain, as it matures, it able to make this happen. It all starts with that seed being planted in soil that is conducive to growth.

The Growth

The growth that takes place is fertilized with God’s grace.

2 Peter 3:18 NIV84

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

The Kingdom of God is does not come about by the work of man. The only activity in the parable is waiting in faith. The Kingdom of God does not depend on human effort to achieve it and human insight will not be able to explain it. God will in His time and in His way produce a time of growing. He will also produce a time of gathering.

The Gathering

Mark 4:29 NIV84

29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

Every seed that is planted will in some form or fashion be harvested. Romans 1:16

Romans 1:16 NIV84

16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

That middle phrase tells us that the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. The message of the Kingdom is found in a seed. But when it is planted in an open heart, it produces salvation. From the point of salvation, God desires us to continue to grow. In fact, His desire for our growth is so paramount, He makes it happen. Our role is to take the gospel, plant it lives, and watch God grow it!

The subjects in this parable, the sovereignty of God described in this parable, and the sanctification that is found is this parable all give us a strategy that every dad as well as every mother and every man and every women and every child should hear.

The Strategy

God’s strategy is for His people to lead other people to Him.

Lead By Faith

We are to lead by faith. God will never lead us to a place that will be be harmful to us or to His people. We are to lead as God leads. You say, I am not a leader. Yes you are. John Maxwell says, "Leadership is influence. Nothing more, nothing less.”

You are a person of influence. There are many around you that want your seed of faith. There are many around you that need your seed of faith, that need your influence. The first part of Romans 1:16 we read a few minutes ago comes into play again right here:

“I am not ashamed of the Gospel.”

Love By Faith

We are to love by faith. God’s love story is simply put. 1 Thessalonians 1:3

1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV84

3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Live By Faith

Therefore, we are to live by faith.

Galatians 2:20 NIV84

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

So often we lay our heads down on our pillows at night and we are disheartened, distraught and perhaps even desperate. We have to remember, just like this parable, God causes the growth and the maturity. All we have to do is trust His sanctifying ways and believe that His Kingdom is being built, even while we sleep.

One theologian wrote, “God does not hurl the kingdom as Poseidon does his thunderbolt. God plants it as a seed…even as it is in Jesus… hidden, imperceptible, but bringing forth and harvest and judgement.” Edward Jones

Religion tries to force it on us.

The Zealots tried to cause a revolution.

The Pharisees tried to make it a legal observance.

Jesus teaches us to wait and grow, and to grow while we wait

Isaiah 64:4 NIV84

4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

How is your seed growing?