"And he said, 'The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.'"
Mark 4:26-28
We continue with the image of a sower and seed today in Jesus’ “Parable of the Growing Seed.” Found only in Mark’s Gospel, the focus of this parable is not the sower, but the seed. To prevent any attempts at making the parable about our sowing, Jesus explains that the growth occurs even while the sower sleeps. Then comes the clear words, “He knows not how.” The growth of the Kingdom of God does not come by our best efforts or particular gifts.
The late Martin Scharlemann wrote, “Jesus used this parable to correct some of these false notions…He stresses, therefore, the spontaneity of growth. The kingdom is self-developing. It grows of itself.” The Greek word in the text is “automata” from which we get the word automatic. The power for growth comes from the seed that is the Word of God.
As Lutheran Christians mark the Reformation once again, it is good for us to be reminded of the power of the Word of God for every one of us. As God sows the seed through our vocal witness and our teaching of the faith within the home, the seed sprouts and grows; we know not how. As the pastor proclaims the Gospel to the assembled saints and brings the comfort of God’s Word to a homebound saint, the seed sprouts and grows where and when it pleases God, not the pastor. These agricultural parables lead us back into the Word of God for our own strength, but also to scatter the seed that is the Word and wait for it to sprout and grow. Thanks be to God for the power of the Word that causes it to grow automatically - not because of us.
Prayer – O Jesus Christ, as the seed of Your Word is scattered wherever You lead Your people, may it sprout and grow to bring forth a harvest of righteousness for the sake of Your name; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Fraternally in Christ,
President Lee Hagan