“For the Earth Yields Crops by Itself”

“For the Earth Yields Crops by Itself”

“The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

If we keep in mind that this is how the kingdom of God functions, then this parable has an extremely edifying and faith-strengthening effect. It testifies most powerfully about the divine and irresistible powers that evolve during the uninterrupted connection between the seed and the soil, between God’s Word and the soil of the heart.

Just as truly as this connection is in order and is being maintained, that is how truly this growth and this ripening—the growth of God’s kingdom in our inner man—cannot be stopped. Glory to God in the highest! This growth and ripening follows a steady course according to natural laws. It grows by itself!!!

This is not a fairy tale; it is the plain truth. If there is anything that we know with certainty, it is that this growth and ripening is taking place! The farmer is never in doubt about it, even though he doubts many other things. He actually does not know how this growth occurs, but he can see, touch, and feel that it does occur, and he can even measure the blade with a measuring stick if he so desires!

First the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear, and finally ripened grain! In other words, growth and ripening until perfection in Christ Jesus; until perfect victory over sin; until “always victory;” until “more than victory”; until “purity and blamelessness without spot or wrinkle or any such thing”; until we prove ourselves to be a “child of the Most High in deed”; until “God’s will is done on earth (in the individual) as it is in heaven.”

To pause at this parable, considering it to be true but still not coming to faith in an overcoming life in this world, would be a testimony to utter thoughtlessness and futility; it would be a testimony to the hardening of the heart.

God’s kingdom consists of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. This is the very thing that is ripening in this world!

The soil of the heart bears this crop by itself! However, the seed, which is the word of God (Luke 8:11), must be kept in the heart! Glory to God! All glory to the seed and to the Sower!