“And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know. The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come” Mark 4:26-29
The process is a mystery. Farmers and gardeners plant seeds, but just how they grow is unclear. There is a word for the process - germination - but it really is just a word to describe how air, water, and temperature are key components to what actually develops.
The growth process of the kingdom is a similar mystery. As with a farmer, the seed is planted, and then it develops with blade, head, and finally mature head. The farmer does very little during the growth process, until the time of harvest.
Jesus launched His public work by planting the seed of the kingdom: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” Mark 1:15. Misunderstanding the message, many expected a governmental kingdom to immediately appear. But Jesus, like a farmer between planting and harvest, seemed to do very little as head of this government.
It has been two millennia since the initial planting of the kingdom seed by the messiah. The harvest time has not yet come, but there is unmistakable growth as we wait. The seed has been sown, and it is growing in the hearts of the responsive.
This parable helps frame our perspective on kingdom progress. We are sowers of the seed; the “word of the kingdom” Matthew 13:19. How it is received and grows largely remains a hidden mystery. But, we can be sure that there is kingdom growth. It may not be observable in our lifetime, or even in our own lives. But, in faith confidence, we can be assured of growth.
A farmer cannot rush the process from planting to harvest, nor can we rush the kingdom process. The apostle Paul understood this: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth” 1 Corinthians 3:6.
We are entrusted with planting the seed. Some “watering” can be done to assist in the process of discipleship, but the harvest is our Father’s business. Let us do that which we are entrusted to do, and patiently wait for the great harvest to come.
©Steve Taylor, 2025 --Used by permission
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