THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 4:26-29
“This is what the kingdom of God is like.” (Mark 4:26)
Jesus is still explaining how things work with God’s kingdom.
It begins from the heart (the soil), where the seed begins to grow.
When the seed (the grace of Jesus) and the soil (the heart), things happen.
“All be itself” points to the fact that spiritual growth is a work of the Spirit.
The farmer does not make the seed grow; she has done her part planting the seed.
We try too hard to make things happen, to grow churches, to expand ministries, to make disciples.
Instead we need to focus on spreading Jesus message and love, and let the Spirit do His work.
As I serve, as I share, as I care, as I witness, Jesus wins over His own audience.
When people understand what life is like in God’s world – better, when they experience it through us, many will be drawn in.
Not all, and that is beyond our control; not even Jesus had a 100% success rate.
Spread the message in word and deed, and even though 3/4 do not respond, wait for the 1/4.
God reveals the quality and character of His kingdom through us.
And as we spread it with our own lives, “all by itself” others will be impacted
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, Your kingdom is desirable, help us not make it look dreary or burdensome. May Your seed flourish in us, that it may spread to others.
Observations/Application
I am reminded of the text ‘I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.’
In today’s world we desire to see results, immediately. A teacher does not really see the fruit of his labour until years later. A farmer sows but for the result he needs to be patient and wait upon the Lord.
As Christian, I just need to live for Jesus in all I do – living for Jesus – and He will make things happen through the workings of His Spirit.
I am not in control. He is.
I may try to be a ‘fruit inspector’ but He gives the increase and the harvest.
As His instrument of peace, I need to tell the Good News, live the Word daily and He will enable and do.
This is God’s world.
As always, He is in charge/control.
This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.
This is my Father’s world, dreaming, I see His face.
I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, “The Lord is in this place.”
This is my Father’s world, from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son,
Came—a pledge of deathless love.
This is my Father’s world, should my heart be ever sad?
The lord is King—let the heavens ring. God reigns—let the earth be glad.
This is my Father’s world. Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.
No place but is holy ground.
This is my Father’s world. I walk a desert lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze God makes His glory known.
This is my Father’s world, a wanderer I may roam
Whate’er my lot, it matters not,
My heart is still at home.