The Power of the (gospel) seed: It grows all by itself.
One characteristic expected from every newly born or planted is growth. However, some of never grow. But what causes illness of not growing?? Through the scripture text Mark writes of the teachings of Jesus on the "Growing seed". Gerald Caron (2008) writes: ...once the seed is sown, the farmer does other normal business having no control over the seed into the full grown harvest. The farmer might have helped with the irrigation but the bottom line is, "it is fed and watered by the mighty hand of God".
Then what causes some to not grow if God is in control?? To understand this I will try to give meaning of farmer and seed. The farmer in the text represents servants of God who spread the Good News. The work of the servant is to spread the gospel. The seed is the word of God, and it is by the power of God's spirit that the seed germinates and develops until it gives forth the desired harvest. There is a problem when the farmer thinks of him/herself as the basic resource of growth and neglects God's presence. The church is going for growth as it embarks to become a missional church. For the growth to happen the presence of God has to be acknowledged and fully trusted. Lacking this one will not grow.
The church today is facing challenges of different forms; which hinder growth. The text today is challenging us in that God is promising a magnificent harvest because in all the process of farming He is in control. Hence, the duty of the servant is to continue witnessing in season and out of season, surrendering everything to God - even the honour of the mission.
Friends, our witness may be weak and our efforts may seem to influence a few, but the word of God is a powerful agent of growth. Let us keep our eyes on the great harvest to come and let us not allow bad soil or weeds to discourage us from faithful service and witness. God is able to bring wonders of small things "Bumper harvest is certain."
| He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come." (Mark4:26-29) |
Anna Banda, married to Moven, mother to four children blessed with six grandchildren; serving at Mhangura Congregation in the Presbytery of Zimbabwe.
