JULY 13, 2023 – HARVEST

READ: Mark 4:26-34

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. – Mark 4:28,29

To the crowd, the Lord speaks only in parables, but He explains everything to his disciples when they are alone. This also applies to the two parables in this passage of Scripture. The first is about the certainty that the Kingdom of God will come. This should provide assurance to all who preach the gospel and work towards the building up of the church. We can sow, plant, and water, but God gives the growth (1 Cor. 3:7). 

This applies to the individual, but also to the church. The Lord will come to His full number in His own time. We do not need to doubt this, even if we do not see much of it now. The Lord continues to work towards His harvest on the day of His return, when everything will come to completion in an instant. This requires trust and patience, but the outcome and the feast of the harvest time are certain!

The other parable also points to the patience that is necessary when it comes to Christ’s work on His Kingdom with His ongoing church-gathering work. The comparison is with a mustard seed. The gathering of the New Testament church began very small, with only twelve apostles and a few other brothers and sisters. But by Pentecost there was a congregation of 3000 members, and the gospel steadily spread throughout the world. 

Today, it can sometimes be overwhelming when we look at the size of the faithful church. However, let us not forget that a large part of the church has already gone to heaven over the centuries. We cannot see everything, and the church is still not complete.

Is it difficult to be patient when it comes to the church?

Singing: Ps. 106:24