Parable of the Seed
Mar_4:26-29
There is a continuing source of frustration to many Christians. It seems so simple—for some—to be personal evangelists. They write books with four step programs which give the impression that five minutes of conversation will infallibly produce salvation in the hearer—if only you follow the plan.
Christ here gives us the correction of that idea. Consider:
The nature of the sowing
In all this, as we scatter the truth to others, it may seem as if it has no effect. But wait:
The nature of the growing
The resulting grain in this parable has a number of interpretations:
The nature of the grain
But there is one thing we may see for certain. Grain that is harvested has a number of uses. One of them is to become seed for the next crop! Those to whom we preach and teach today will someday mature. When they do, they will carry on the faith to another generation, teaching as they have been taught. The methods change with the times; the message is eternal, and therefore eternally up to date.
This could refer to the harvest at the end of the age, when Christ comes again.
Or, it could be a reflection of our works upon our death.
It might indeed be the good works we do now.
The seed grows of its own accord—the Greek word here implies that it is automatic, by its own nature. It is natural for the seed to grow.
We may be puzzled as to how this works. Whether we know how or not, it still does.
God does this in his own order, not omitting the steps, so that when complete, it will be ready for use.
And He does it in his own good time—not ours.
In the kingdom of God, we are laborers with God. Our part is to scatter the seed, the message.
We scatter the message to others, but He gives us the increase.
This is so that we will not boast that "we" have saved anyone, but give the glory to God.
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