The Grain Seed

By Gerry Watts

 

He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain (literally ‘fruit’)–first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” 

 

(Mark 4:26-29 NIV)

 

  The meaning of this parable is intimately linked to a number of the previous parables, particularly The Sower and The Mustard Seed. Jesus is focusing on the miracle of nature whereby a seed of grain, whether wheat or barley, once sown in the soil, begins to sprout and grow of its own accord and power. It is the Spirit of God that gives everything life, including that which grows in the earth. Man only has to sow the seed in the right soil and then wait for the seed to germinate. 

  Even the task of watering it is primarily left to God in sending rain upon the earth. Water itself is the source of all life because, without it, we would all die. All of these things of nature are God-given and we should learn to be thankful to Him for providing us with such blessings, while not taking it all for granted.

  In the past, God often used drought as a sign of His judgment upon Israel and the other nations revealing that He is the only One who provides us with everything we need, not only for our survival, but for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17). According to Zechariah 14:16-19, God still uses this judgment of ‘no rainfall’ as a means of chastening against those nations who do not go up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. This may have had a more literal fulfillment in the past concerning ancient Israel, but under the New Covenant, its meaning becomes more spiritual.

  Allegorically speaking, this prophecy is teaching us that those who do not grow into spiritual maturity and reap a good harvest of fruit to God (fulfilling the feast of Tabernacles in the New Heavenly Jerusalem, as those who worship in spirit and truth) will be disciplined with a lack of spiritual refreshment and anointing (the rainfall). It also symbolises the future judgment of the Second Death, where the spiritual drought will be due to the 'unquenchable fire' of God, for those who are experiencing it. (For further study of the Judgment associated with the Second Death, see The First and Second Resurrections and the Judgment Day).

  Scripture and nature teaches us that there are three stages of physical and spiritual growth as follows:

1.      Infancy

2.      Adolescence

3.      Adulthood

  These are represented by the following Biblical figures, which Jesus Himself also experienced:

1.      Circumcision (Milk)

2.      Bar Mitzvah (Solid Food)

3.      Sonship (or placing of a son, also known as Adoption, which usually occurred when the child/man was 30 years of age)

  These are also represented by the following phrases, particularly in John’s first letter:

1.      Little Children (Immaturity)

2.      Young Men (Growing Maturity)

3.      Fathers (Full and Greater Maturity)

  The three main Feasts of the Lord also represent this three-fold progression:

1.      Passover (Justified - Spirit)

2.      Pentecost (Sanctified – Soul)

3.      Tabernacles (Glorified – Body)

  There are a number of other three-fold examples that could be given, but these will suffice. God willing, these subjects will be considered in more detail in the book The Hidden Prophecies of the Seven Feasts.

  These three stages of spiritual growth are also being figured in the above parable of the Grain Seed, namely, the stalk, the head and then the full kernel in the head. There isn’t any way that we can escape this divine order or try and take a short cut. It has to occur first in the soulish, physical realm, and then in the spiritual realm. We must all travel the same path from Passover to Tabernacles; from immaturity to full maturity; from the soulish to the spiritual; from the old humanity to the new humanity. This has to occur on a personal level and on a corporate level, in the individual temple, as well as the corporate temple.

  Yet Jesus is also saying that the spiritual kingdom of God in this present age will continue to grow and bear fruit of its own accord for it does not depend on man for its growth and power. God will accomplish His purpose in the earth through His Ecclesia until the time of the harvest at Christ’s return, when the sons of God shall be unveiled, and the Bride will have made herself ready for the Wedding Feast. Then He will gather the wheat into His barn (Revelation 14:14-16; Matthew 3:12).

 

Copyright © Gerry Watts 2005; 2007

 

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