By Pastor Alex Ruelo
In Mark 4:26-29, Jesus says, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.” If you will notice, only Mark has recorded this parable. You will not find this in the other gospels. After Jesus discussed the Parable of the Sower, this is His follow up story.
There are so many things in this world that we do not understand. We really have no idea. The Parable f the Growing Seed basically says that there are so many things in this world that we have no idea about. We grow up thinking that it is all about us, feeling entitled in this world. But we really have no idea what is going on in this world.
1. We have no idea how great our God is. We say He is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. But do we still say that God is great when our electricity is about to get cut because we have no money to pay for it? When somebody is sick? When someone is dying in front of you? Is God still great amongst these circumstances? Isaiah 55:8 says, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” We thin we understand everything about God. When He created us, all we see is our physical body. But God made the entire universe and we put Him in a box and describe Him with words we do not fully comprehend.
2. We have no idea how big the Kingdom of God is. Matthew 28:19 says, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Thank God the gospel started in Jerusalem, spread throughout the world and came to the Philippines. Now we have to preach it to the tribes and to all those who have not heard the gospel yet. This is not the only kingdom of God. It is so big and is separated by religion. The children of God are everywhere. We have to help them in any way we can. God is moving in the world. We have no idea how big His kingdom is. You might be surprised who you see in heaven. It might not be the person sitting beside you now.
3. We have no idea of His amazing grace. We think grace just saves us. But 2 Corinthians 9:8 says “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” God’s grace abounds! The faith that we have in God did not come from us; it came from Him. I can stand here in front of you and preach His word because of the strength He supplies! We do not understand everything in this word but by the grace of God, His word overflows. Not because the pastors are doing their work but only by God’s grace. You do not need to go up in the mountains to share God’s word. You do not even have to go far. There is your neighbor who needs to hear God’s word; your loved one, you husband, you child, you grandfather, your uncle, your relative living in your compound. We do not maximize the grace of God. 2 Corinthians 8:9 says, “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.” God owns everything and yet, He became poor so that we may become rich. The Bible is the truth. 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.” When Jesus died on the cross, healing was included in His wounds. The biggest part of grace is our salvation. But so is our financial capacity and our health. John 17 says the word of God is truth. Truth is different from facts. Facts change but the truth prevails.
The devil has been putting lies in our head 1 Timothy 6:17 says “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.” God provides everything for our enjoyment and the devil tries to take that away.
4. We have no idea when harvest time will be. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 “For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. “ Harvest time is still uncertain. Only the farmer will know when it is time. Are you ready for the harvest? Are you playing your part in the Kingdom of God?
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