He said, “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.” Mark 4:26-27 NABRE
Jesus teaches about the quiet power of growing the kingdom of God. A farmer can ready the field, plant the seed, weed and fertilize but when the seed burst into a blade, then an ear and then a full grain of ear is all a mystery. A farmer cannot make a seed grow, it grows all on its own in the right circumstances, in fact sometimes a seed can grow in less than ideal circumstances. The seed turns into a ready crop in its own time and all the farmer can do is recognize the fruit is ripe and be ready to harvest. Jesus with this parable explains that the kingdom of God is a divine work, not a human achievement. God brings about the kingdom’s growth, often imperceptibly. We can help make things ready, create an environment of trust for growth, but only God can move a heart to desire to be part of the kingdom. Every member of the kingdom is being made ready for a harvest through inner growth, holiness and virtue. Jesus is encouraging those who think their efforts for the kingdom are fruitless. He is also discouraging those who think the kingdom can be made ready by their own projects and programs.
We must always remember we are to live as full members of the kingdom and be a light others can see. But, we cannot force, coerce, blackmail anyone into a change of heart and a joining of the kingdom of God. Changing hearts is the work of God, one we may not see happening. Trust God is always on the job and have no fear the kingdom will grow and be harvested.
Do you ready the vineyard for the divine work of God? Are you pleased to see God’s work in the vineyard?
Changing hearts is the work of God, one we may not see happening. Trust God is always on the job and have no fear the kingdom will grow and be harvested. Click To Tweetvia=”no”]#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #seed #growth #Mark #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #Matthew #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways