26He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
Jesus’ parables in Mark 4 teach about the kingdom of God, the reign of God, the work of God in this world.
The first parable (4:1-20) reminds us that there are different responses to the Word of God, to the message of God’s kingdom. Some fully embrace it. Some immediately reject it. Some half-heartedly follow it until difficulty hits or some distraction draws their attention to something else.
The second parable (4:21-25) reminds us that if we embrace the message of God’s kingdom then we should show it. God’s truth is light and it cannot and should not be hidden. Indeed, the more we invest into God’s kingdom, the more we give of our time, attention and effort to it, the more the fruit is multiplied.
This third parable (4:26-29) seems to balance out the second parable. Though our actions have a multiplying effect in God’s kingdom, we should not assume that it is our actions that are the real power of God’s kingdom.
I was thinking of those walking escalators in many airports. When you get on them and start walking you find that you are moving at exceptional speed. Even a gentle walk propels you forward at double the speed of those walking on the carpet next to you. It is the power of the escalator that propels you at this speed not the power of your walking. Even if you stood still, the escalator would still move you forward. Even if you resisted and turned backwards, the escalator would still be going forward.
The same is true with God’s kingdom. It is working and moving whether you are on it or not. It is working and moving whether you are walking against it or standing still. But when you align your life with it and walk with it, you find that things happen in remarkable ways.
In the parable of Mark 4, Jesus doesn’t talk about walking escalators. Though Jesus obviously could foresee the concept in the 21st century, the people in the first century would have stared at Him even more confused than many of them already were. Jesus instead talks about a man who plants seed. The man who plants seed does nothing to make it grow. He may encourage the growth by watering and fertilizing it but he in himself does not make the seed sprout into a plant. Even if he does nothing, the seed is capable of sprouting on its own. Indeed throughout the world, grass and plants are growing apart from any direct action of man. All that man can do is cooperate with the forces of nature that are already at hand.
I needed that reminder so much right now. As I look at the world around me, I am finding that I am becoming increasingly discouraged. The morals of our nation are deteriorating rapidly. Things unheard of fifty years ago on TV are now proudly displayed in primetime TV shows and movies all the time. Lyrics of many popular songs have turned into soft porn. I wonder what kind of world my boys will grow up in. The challenges they will face. I wonder how long our liberties in this nation will last. Big government scares me because mankind has shown that it does not handle unchecked authority well. Our founding fathers did all they could to limit government not increase it. As I consider all that is happening, I feel overwhelmed. My efforts seem like a drop in the bucket. I am not even sure where my efforts should concentrate.
But Mark 4 reminds me that it is not the kingdom of the US that I should be consumed with. Yes, I love my country and, as a citizen, I will stay informed, write my congressmen, vote faithfully, pray for our leaders, and do what I can to promote justice, mercy and truth in our culture. But ultimately I am to align myself with the kingdom of God. It is moving and working whether I am active or not. It is greater than me. It does not depend upon me…rather it invites me to participate in it. God will accomplish His work. God will reign. The kingdom will come upon this earth. I am privileged to be a part of that kingdom. How? By scattering the seed of the Word, of the good news of Jesus Christ, of the message of grace and reconciliation. By shining light to others in the way I speak, act, and relate.
This world is not out of control. It is in the hands of God. I do not have to measure up. Indeed I can’t. But in Christ I find grace and mercy. I am not called to condemn the world but to bless it (1 Peter 3:8-9). And I do not make the kingdom of God happen. I merely align with life with it and enjoy the ride.