Germination

The Word of God is the seed that grows the kingdom of God (Luke 8:11).  Evangelists, preachers, and mature Christians use this seed that God has provided to grow new believers that will make up the kingdom of God.  In the book of Mark, Jesus uses a simple parable to illustrate this important point.

“He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.”  Mark 4:26 (NIV)

The process of growing the kingdom of God begins with a man sowing seed.  What our Lord wants us to fully grasp in this parable is the miraculous nature of the seed.  The Word of God, when properly planted, has an astonishing ability to sprout and grow committed followers of Jesus Christ.

“Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.”  Mark 4:27 (NIV)

Precisely how a tiny seed grows into a large plant, flowering bush, or towering tree is beyond our full understanding.  What we do know is that the ability of the seed to produce its final product has nothing to do with us – it has everything to do with the seed.

“All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.”  Mark 4:28 (NIV)

When we bring the Word of God to someone who is open to hearing the message, that person is a fertile field in which the seed will grow.  The Word of God is the mechanism that brings about the transformation.  We who sow the seed are merely gardeners spreading God’s miraculous truth.  The harvest produced is the result of seed, not the efforts of the sower.

“As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”  Mark 4:29 (NIV)

The moment a new believer blossoms into a sincere follower of Jesus Christ, God is quick to gather that ripe fruit into His kingdom.  This is an ongoing process that has been in daily operation since Jesus first began His ministry.

The parables of Jesus are wonderful illustrations of how God’s creation is full of lessons that reveal His methods, His truth, and His connection to all of us.  We don’t have to go far to discover how God works.  Step into your garden and plant a seed.  That is how the kingdom of God is being built.

Questions for You to Prayerfully Consider

Answer each question as though you were speaking privately to Jesus.  Don’t just answer yes or no, explain your answer completely to yourself and to the Lord. 

The Word of God, when properly planted, has an astonishing ability to sprout and grow committed followers of Jesus Christ.

How did your faith in Jesus develop?

Did someone plant a seed in your life by sharing the Word of God?

Have you shared the Word of God to plant a seed in someone else?

Are you amazed by how God works in your garden to make plants grow?

Do you believe the Word of God can grow new followers of Jesus?

All scripture references are linked to Bible Gateway so that you can read each verse in context.  Bible Gateway allows you to change the verse to your favorite translation and compare it side-by-side with multiple translations.  In addition, you can select to hear an audio version of any verse by clicking on the speaker icon.  Keep the Bible Gateway App on your phone so that you can visit the Word of God at any time during your day.

Weeds