Mark 4:26-34 (NRSV)
Read Mark 4:26-34 on biblegateway.com
Verse 26He also said, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, Verse 27and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. Verse 28The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. Verse 29But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come."
Verse 30He also said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? Verse 31It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; Verse 32yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."
Verse 33With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; Verse 34he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
Devotion
Have you ever seen a time-compressed video of a seed sprouting into a plant? It is fascinating to watch. It starts with bare ground. Suddenly, the ground gives way, and a single stalk asserts itself, breaking into the world. That stalk grows into an impressive plant, especially considering the bare ground from which it came.
Why is it so compelling?
Probably because in real time, we never see it happen that way. Unless we’re committed to staring continuously at the soil for days or weeks on end, we will miss the moment when the stalk breaks ground. But God sees it happen. God, the creator of that tiny seed, nurtures it, and watches as it grows into the full plant that it is to become.
So it is with the kingdom of God. We scatter the seeds of the Good News of Jesus, but we do not see all the growth that is taking place. Still, with God’s nurturing hand, we work together in the breaking in of the kingdom of God.
Prayer
Lord, your kingdom grows more every day. Thank you. Continue to watch over it, and use our hands to nurture and care for it however we can. Thank you for the life your kingdom brings. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.