In an Automatic Way

Mark 4:26–29

²⁶ And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. ²⁷ He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. ²⁸ The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. ²⁹ But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

The back of our house looks out upon a farm field. I love that view because it is wide open. But every year there are little trees that threaten my view. They are planted by the birds or the wind and I want them gone. So, I send my husband out while they are still tiny to cut them down, thus maintaining that which I love the most about our house. There absolutely nothing that we do to encourage these trees and they grow without our help. God has designed the world so that vegetation happens automatically. Continuing His use of the imagery of the farmer and the seeds, Jesus expands His teaching about the spread of His Kingdom through the preaching of His Word and He uses that “automatic” growth as a part of His illustration.

In this parable, which is about the reign and rule of God, the details can be designated this way:

• the “man” = Jesus

• the “seed” = the Word

• the good “ground” = those living under God’s reign and rule

• the sleeping and rising of the man who does not work the land, plus the seed sprouting on its own = the powerful action of the Word without additional human assistance

• the soil with seed in it producing fruit = the reign and rule of God being implemented in the lives of the followers of Jesus

• the “blade,” then the “ear,” and then the “full grain” = growth and maturity (perhaps in given stages?)

• the “harvest” being ready = the full goal in God’s plan being reached

• the “sickle” = the judgment

• and the fruit allowing/offering the opportunity = the coming of judgment at the proper time

Voelz, J. W. ©2013. Concordia Commentary: Mark 1:1–8:26. (p. 316). St. Louis, MO: CPH.

As we can see, the spreading of the Gospel is God’s work. It is so important, He has put into place His own will and power to make sure it happens. Just as those trees and plants seem to spring up automatically, so too His Word does the work it is intended to do. And even though it looks “automatic” His power is the source of the growth. His listeners would have been aware of this idea already if they studied the Book of Isaiah (which they most certainly would have). In Isaiah 55 we find this same illustration being used to good effect.

Isaiah 55:6–11

⁶“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; ⁷let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. ⁸For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. ⁹For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. ¹⁰“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, ¹¹so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

This is such a great example of God’s great love. He cares so much that we hear and learn the way of salvation that He made it simple. Hear and heed the Word of God which teaches us of Jesus sacrifice for our sins. The growth of faith seems automatic because it is the work of the Spirit, not our hands that brings it about. This is God's grace in action.