The Parables of Jesus Series – Parable of the Seed

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

This parable illustrates the process of spiritual growth.  In most cases spiritual growth doesn't happen in sudden spurts.  It usually happens in a progression like that of a seed planted in the ground.  This process can be fast or slow but it still in usually a process that we must work through; “First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens.”

When the seed is planted it begins its development underground.  Its growth is not visible at the beginning.  The same is true in our lives.  As our minds begin to be renewed by the Word it may take a while us to “see” growth in our life.  

Romans 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Ephesians 4:23 “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.”

Growth of a plant happens without the farmer really doing anything. He provides food/fertilizer, water, and sunshine. The plant grows even while he is asleep. The reality is that if we are providing our spirits with the right conditions, like a farmer does for his plants, the grow will happen without any striving on our part.  It will take discipline, but once that is in place God will do the work through the Holy Spirit. 

Right conditions for spiritual growth:

1. Food/fertilizer: a constant diet of the Word is necessary for our growth. This includes both hearing the Word through preaching and teaching, and individual Bible study.  (Jeremiah 15:16S (NIV) “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight.”) (1 Timothy 4:6 “If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed.”)

2. Water: fellowship with other believers is crucial for spiritual growth.  We must be involved in group Bible study and corporate worship. We not only learn from each other, but we need to hold each other accountable. As we hear the voices of others raised in worship and praise to our God our spirits are encouraged and uplifted. (Hebrews 10:25 “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.“)

3. Sunshine: constant fellowship with Christ is another key ingredient in spiritual growth. We must spend time in prayer daily, seeking the face of our Savior.  We, like the sunflower must keep our faces turned toward the sun/SON!!  (Hebrews 12:2 “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”) (Proverbs 4:25 “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.”)

God does the work by the Holy Spirit; however, we must do our part by acting in obedience to his instructions and discipline.  We must study the Word so it can take deep root in our spirit. We have to make the choices that will encourage growth rather than the choices that will hinder growth. 

Just as a farmer has to weed his garden, we too, have to weed our hearts daily.  If we allow any root of ungodliness to grow (i.e. selfishness, disobedience, angry, rebellion, pride, unfaithfulness, addiction, lust, greed, etc.) it will choke out the good seed that is trying to grow in our life. 

We weed by daily asking God to point out any area of ungodliness that is growing in our hearts.  As he shows us the weeds, we must pull them out through repentance and then turn our back on the sin.

As we make a daily practice of providing food, water, and sunshine for our spirits, as well as weeding our lives we will see the blade push through the soil, then the heads will form, and finally the grain will ripen.  As this process happens we will begin to mature from the elementary things of God into the deeper truths of his Word.

All Scripture is NLT unless otherwise stated.