In the fourth chapter of Mark’s gospel, Jesus told a parable about a man sowing seed. Some of the seed fell on the pathway beside his field, and was eaten by the birds. Some seed fell on rocky, shallow soil. It shot up quickly, but died just as quickly, because it developed no real root system, and was scorched by the sun. Some seed fell among thorns, where the young plants it produced were crowded out and choked by weeds and briars.
But some seeds fell into good, receptive soil, where they grew up, and produced a great. harvest. (Mark 4:3-8, NKJV)
Jesus was asked to explain the parable, so He began His explanation by saying in Mark 4:14: “The sower sows the Word.” His statement reveals a very important truth…the Word of God is “seed.”
Going further in His explanation, Jesus warns us that even if we hear God’s Word, it may not produce its fruit in our lives. Why? Because as every farmer knows there are some conditions and circumstances that can prevent the “seed” from reaching it’s potential to produce a bountiful harvest.
Jesus then specified some of the hindrances to our harvest: careless inattention to the Word, difficult trials, persecution, worry, and prioritizing money or other things over His Word.
“But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the Word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” (Mark 4:20, NKJV)
Then, continuing to teach His disciples about kingdom-principles, the Master said something that is so simple, but so powerfully profound.
He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground.” (Mark 4:26)
This lines up with what we already know; that the seed is the Word of God.
“And should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.” (Mark 4:27) In other words, the Word of God can work independently of our understanding.
We don’t have to have a degree in theology, speak Hebrew and Greek, memorize the entire New Testament, or understand all the mysteries of the universe, to live and thrive in God’s kingdom.
He continues in verse 28 and 29: “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.”
Jesus said the earth brings forth crops by itself. The farmer plants the seed. That’s his job. Then he goes to sleep, he gets up, he goes to sleep, and he gets up, and all the while the seed sprouts and grows by itself.
The farmer really doesn’t have to understand how it all works. It just does. It’s like the seed is on autopilot, programmed to grow, and to eventually produce a harvest.
We don’t make the seed work. In fact, we can’t. Our part is to simply put the seed in the ground and keep it there. There is life in the seed, and it will produce a harvest if we’ll just sow it in the ground. We don’t have to understand how it works. It just works.
Think of a little flower seed. The roots, the stem,
the leaves, the beautiful flowers with their amazing color, and fragrant aroma …all those traits are locked up in the in the heart of that tiny little seed. The miracle of life is in the seed.
Now think of the seed of a giant Redwood tree. The Redwood seeds are about the same size as a tomato seed, but once the life in that seed is released, the tree can grow to be over 300 feet tall, with a diameter of 20 feet. That’s the miracle of life built into every seed.
Plant the seed and it will grow. It’s the same with the Word of God. There is life, supernatural life,
divine life, locked inside the seed of God’s Word.
That’s actually how we were born-again, and entered the kingdom of God. We heard and accepted the seed of God’s Word into our hearts. The life in that seed was released in us and we were born-again!
“For through the eternal and living Word of God you have been born again. And this “seed” that He planted within you can never be destroyed, but will live and grow inside of you forever.”
(1 Peter 1:23, The Passion Translation)
Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63, NJKV)
Every Word that God speaks is full of spiritual life and power.
“For the Word of God is living, and active, and full of power, making it operative, energizing, and effective.” (Hebrews 4:12, Amplified Bible)
How do we get the life and power that is locked inside the Word of God to be released in our life? It’s pretty simple. We just plant it. We sow the seed of God’s Word into the soil of our hearts, and then we keep it there, while it does its “seed-magic” thing!
Why are we focusing so much on seeds? What about our teaching on healing? How are seeds related to that? I’m glad you asked! Please be patient a little while longer. We’re going to get there.
One unchangable fact of life is that all seeds produce after their own kind. Watermelon seeds will produce watermelons. Avocado seeds will produce avocados. You will never plant a cucumber seed, and get a coconut tree!
While establishing the guidelines for life on earth, God said, “Let the earth burst forth with every sort of grass and seed-bearing plant and fruit trees with seeds inside the fruit, so that these seeds will produce the kinds of plants and fruits they came from.” (Genesis 1:11, Living Bible)
Everything produces after its own kind. This is also true for the Word of God. Scriptures on forgiveness produce forgiveness. Promises of peace produce peace. And the Word on healing produces healing!
Now, finally, we can focus our attention on how to sow God’s Word into our hearts, so we can have a harvest of God’s healing power.
²⁰ “My son, give attention to my Words; incline your ear to my sayings. ²¹ Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; ²² for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.” (Proverbs 4:20-22)
The word health in verse 22 literally means “medicine.” God’s Word works like medicine to all of our flesh. It brings health to all of our flesh.
God tells us in this scripture how we can plant the seed of God’s Word and keep it in our heart. When we plant it in the midst of our heart, it will sprout and grow. We don’t even have to understand how.
Here’s how we plant the Word in our hearts. The first thing God says is “… give attention to my words.” Eliminate distractions. Turn off your cell phone for a while. Turn off your TV. Give your attention to God’s Word.
He then says, “… incline your ear to my sayings.” Speak the scriptures concerning healing out loud. Listen to the Word when it is preached.
Next He says, “Do not let them depart from your eyes.” Read and meditate on His Word, over and over and over. Each time you do, you are planting more seed. The size of your harvest depends on how much seed you sow.
Finally, God says, “Keep them (my Words) in the midst of your heart.” Be patient. Don’t dig up the seed to see if it’s growing. Be diligent to water the seed with your faith confessions. Continue to praise God for the bountiful harvest you already have (by faith). Remember, first the blades, then the heads of grain, then the ripened harvest.
That’s how we do it. We give His Word our laser-
like focus. We listen to it. We speak it. We read it. We wait for it with expectant, yet patient faith. God’s Word will produce an abundant harvest of healing, strength, health, and life. We may not understand how, or why, but it will work.
Look at this from Psalm 107:20 NJKV. It says:
“He sent His Word and healed them, and delivered them from all their destructions.”
When God heals, He almost always does it by sending His Word. And He always sends it in seed form. If we will give our attention to it, incline our ears to it, and keep it in front of our eyes, it will bring a harvest of healing to us. It will deliver us from destruction. Hallelujah!
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My wife, Grace, and I are very proud to be in partnership with Student Life Organization, Inc. We believe in the great work they are doing in Cebu City, and throughout the central part of the Philippines.
SLOI provides educational opportunities to
many physically disabled and financially disadvantaged children, helping them reach their God-given potential.
Your generous giving will help Founder Anne Ruiz, and her team, as they faithfully declare and demonstrate God’s love to these children and their families.
“I mention this not because I’m requesting a gift, but so that the fruit of your generosity may bring you an abundant reward.”
(Philippians 4:17, TPT)
Would you please give today? If so, please use this link: paypal.me/anaferuiz
Thank you! We pray that you will experience God’s richest blessings as you give freely and cheerfully in Jesus’ name!
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