Today’s reading:
My Selection:
And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
Mark 4:26-29
Jesus compared the growth of God’s kingdom to a harvest cycle: sowing, watering, waiting, and reaping. During the waiting time the farmer can do nothing to contribute to the growth. Of course, he can fidget and worry. He may pray. That would be good. But the outcome is uncertain.
There comes a day when the produce appears and ripens, time to gather. But meanwhile there is the long wait.
God’s kingdom is like that. Are you fidgeting or praying? The time approaches, the culmination of all things. Jesus Christ will return. Meanwhile, let us be faithful: sowing, watering, praying, trusting. The growth of the kingdom is a mystery to us. But not to God.
For more reflections on today’s reading, see the corresponding reading in my book Cover to Cover: Through the Bible in 365 days.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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