26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. (Mark 4:26-29 KJV)
The Parable of the Seed Growing
The good seed of the gospel sown in the world and in the heart produces wonderful effects over time, though quietly (Mark 4:26). It will grow, even if it seems buried or forgotten. When the word of Christ takes root in a soul, it will reveal itself, just like a planted field becomes green and vibrant.
The farmer doesn’t know how the seed grows. It’s one of nature’s mysteries (Mark 4:27). He sees it grow but can’t explain how. Similarly, we don’t understand how the Spirit changes a heart through the Word, just as we can’t explain the wind’s origin or direction. As 1 Timothy 3:16 says, “Great is the mystery of godliness.”
After the farmer sows the seed, he does nothing to make it grow. He sleeps and rises while the earth brings forth fruit on its own by God’s power. So too, when the Word is received by faith, it becomes a work of grace. Preachers contribute nothing to this growth while they sleep or turn to other duties (Job 33:15-16). The prophets are gone, but the Word they preached continues to work (Zechariah 1:5-6). The dew that nourishes the seed waits neither for man nor for the sons of men (Micah 5:7).
It grows gradually—first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear (Mark 4:28). Once it starts, it moves forward. Grace, like nature, progresses steadily. Christ’s influence in the world and in the heart will grow. Though it starts small, it will greatly increase. What begins as a tender blade will mature into full grain. Nature makes no sudden leaps, and neither does grace. God works quietly but surely.
At last, it reaches perfection (Mark 4:29). When the fruit is ripe, the sickle is used to harvest it. This suggests that Christ now accepts sincere service done for Him. From the fruit of the gospel in the soul, He gathers honor to Himself (John 4:35). It also means He will reward such service with eternal life. When faithful believers finish their course, the harvest comes—they will be gathered like wheat into God’s barn (Matthew 13:30), like a shock of grain in its season.