Building on last weeks discussion on “Scattering Seeds”, we now look at the next step in the harvest plans. After planting seeds we anticipate that the seeds will sprout and grow into a harvest

This specific parable is only captured in the book of Matthew. We remember that these teaching sessions were given when Jesus returned to his hometown, and had oppositions from the old locals. We are not sure why only Matthew captured this parable, but it could be that Matthew, a Jewish follower had added pressure or incentive to be attentive to some of these teachings. Maybe this specific parable had more meaning in his life.

Remembering from last week that a parable is different than a allegory, we need to not focus so much on the details and miss the real message.  Just like last week we can focus so much on the agricultural details and forget that Jesus’ real message was about the people that are willing to listen to the Word and allow it to take root in their heart and to ensure that the heart condition matters. It cannot be neglected or overlooked.

This weeks parable reminds of the series, right in the opening of the sentence, the Kingdom of God is like…

²⁶ Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. ²⁷ Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. ²⁸ The 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. ²⁹ And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.” – Mark 4:26-29 NLT

What are some of your thoughts on this parable? (Don’t get lost in the details) What is the moral or objective of the story?

The parable reminds us of the quiet and continuous (we might almost say ‘inevitable’) growth of God’s kingdom in our hearts. We do not need to be anxious and struggle: the seed will bear fruit of its own accord. We cannot understand the process of spiritual growth, any more than we can understand the process of natural growth, but we do not need to understand in order to share in it.

Such things as what makes our fingers stop growing? Why did we stop getting taller? Why do we get a certain number of teeth? Why don’t we get another set when we are in our 20’s or 30’s? Many mysteries that we cannot explain, but we grasp it and go with it. We learn the process of physical growth, and we can explain and share how it basically happens, even if some of it does not make sense.

What are some spiritual things in a persons life (walk) that seems strange, not as expected, but we have better understanding now and can explain and share with others?

When you put a seed in the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first.  – 1 Corinthians 15:36 NLT

The seed needs only the right conditions for growth. The same batch of seeds does not grow the same if planted in different seasons or different soils. So if we learned from last week that the soil is an individuals soul and we are all a bit different, is it any surprise that people grow in Christ in different fashions? Harvest is a promise, but it may bring a hint of God’s judgment as well, as it often does in the Bible.

This parable was also provided to the town folk, who were also known to oppose Jesus’ message and position. His appeal to how God’s kingdom grows mysteriously, like a man who simply scatters seed on the ground and watches it grow – is a subtle rebuke to those in Galilee who rejected his message. This parable could be read as Jesus saying, “This will happen no matter how you respond.”

In reflection of last weeks parable (Mark 4:1-20) and this week. What is the teaching differences? There is two different objectives, did you catch them?

There can be a lot of focus on the harvest of seeds. In our sowing we can get focused on the harvest.  We share (sow) God’s Word (seeds) and we judge ourselves and others about the productivity.  Some even condemn themselves or measure their worth by the harvest received. 

In Jesus parable, what is the attitude of the sower? (verse 27) Is that the same approach you attitude you have?

Let us, take that last two parables an apply them to our lives with passion. We have ears to hear and we have the seed, even if it is mysterious some times, to walk out the parables in our lives.

Next week we hear the mysterious parable of the Barren Fig Tree, which keeps our lessons related to agriculture, but shifting from the planting to the withering.

 Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Mk 4:26–29). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

 Cole, R. A. (1994). Mark. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 958). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.