First a leaf, then a head, then the ripening

SCRIPTURE:

“Here is another story illustrating what the Kingdom of God is like: “A farmer sowed his field and went away, and as the days went by, the seeds grew and grew without his help. For the soil made the seeds grow. First a leaf blade pushed through, and later the heads of wheat formed, and finally the grain ripened, and then the farmer came at once with his sickle and harvested it.” Mark 4:26-29

OBSERVATION:

In this parable, the Lord illustrates the kingdom of God as a farmer sowing seed in a field and letting it grow by itself, coming back immediately to harvest once the grain is ripened. The farmer is like the servant of God who preaches the Word of God as we learned from the previous parable of the seeds. Thereafter, the seeds grow on their own because of the soil. Again, we are reminded of the importance of the soil, particularly soil that is not hard (stubborn), not shallow (weak in face of persecution), and has not allowed weeds to grow (distractions).

Then we also see that the transformation is a process. First a lead blade pushes through, then heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. Elsewhere in Scripture, Paul emphasized that it is God that makes a Christian grow, not the workers. Still, there is also a role for the Christian to respond to that transformation process. In the book of Jeremiah, the Lord likened Israel to clay that would not run in the potter’s hands and thus failed to become the beautiful vessel intended. We too are like that clay, and we need to work with God to allow Him to change us.

APPLICATION:

Christian growth is a process, and we should not expect big changes overnight. Instead, we should be patient in seeking God and changing according to His timing and His leading. Our part is to trust Him, and try to respond to Him to let Him lead us and mould us into who He wants us to be. Humility and trust is key here, and with that attitude, our hearts will form good soil for growing good fruit for the Master.

PRAYER:

We praise You and worship You, Father in Heaven, precious Lord Jesus. Help us grow O Lord, bit by bit, inch by inch, into the creation You mean us to be. Help us be humble and teachable and respond to Your discipline, even as You lead us and guide us. May Your name be praised forever precious Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.