(Mark 4:26-41)
26 And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; 27 and he goes to bed at night and gets up daily, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know. 28 The soil produces crops by itself; first the stalk, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. 29 Now when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:
Jesus uses farming as a very familiar allegory to illustrate the bigger picture. Every farmer would have agreed that the grain only grew because of God’s providence, not the farmer’s power. Even the pagans would seek out divine help for their crops by making sacrifices to their god/s. Some pagans in their spiritual beliefs would (and will) even go so far as to sacrifice one of their children. Without understanding, they instinctually do things that are twisted versions of what God has done, or has directed us to do in order to experience a better way.
We see people carrying out mock versions of Christianity everywhere. Many people will simply go through the motions of Christianity, without understanding. And if that isn't palatable enough to one's pride and selfishness, people will try to fill their lives in many other different ways. One of those ways is with a religion or a cult, all of which are created by people, trying to create a god or gods in their own image, desires and thinking. And they find themselves tediously trying to work their way to some sort of "higher being" and/or upper status.
It's important to understand that God created all of us to have a personal relationship with Him, therefore He created all of us with a soul, which can only be filled by Him. So, when a person doesn't know the Lord God personally (yet), they will feel empty, like something is missing, and with that, they will search out different ways to fill that void. Because God is love, He will never force anyone to love Him back, or be obedient, so while it is everyone's free choice, there is still only one way to God and to heaven.
The Lord God's way is that He comes to us. He gave His life as the ultimate and final sacrifice, so that He can offer and provide us salvation and freedom from sin, to anyone who humbly repents and chooses to believe in Him. The Lord Jesus fills us with His indwelling Holy Spirit, and changes us from the inside out. And then, in our personal journey and relationship with Him, as we ask and allow, the Lord will work for us, in us and through us, all to His glory.
We should also ask and allow God to give us opportunities and the right words to speak, in order to share the gospel message. This is how we help plant the seed (God's word and truths). And besides sharing the good news, we are to be praying for others, and showing His love to others. This is all that God asks of us. He does the rest, and He knows those who will turn to Him. The Lord God loves all people, and desires that all come to know Him! So, as we love the Lord, we will desire what He desires, and love as He loves...
(Matthew 9:36-38) Seeing the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
