The parable of the seed Mark 4vv26-29.
This parable gives further insight into the operation of the word of God in terms of growth. Jesus uses the figure of natural seed to illustrate. What we learn from this parable is two important features of spiritual growth, namely, we are not in control of our own growth, and, secondly, that progress is slow and deliberate according to a very definite plan and process. The message is that this is a Divine work within us and continues until full growth; "He which hath begun a good work in us will perform(perfect) it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1v6. The same writer in chapter 2v13 says "..it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." All spiritual growth is of God; note the parable concerning the seed that was sown....."and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up he knoweth not how!" As with nature, so with the spiritual. We plant a seed, we have no further involvement in it save, perhaps. to water it, then by God's power and in God's own time the seed grows into a plant, produces fruit, and becomes useful to the sower. God's word in the soul works in exactly the same way; whether we think of the fruit of the conversion of the soul, or the fruit of sanctification, it comes and it grows by the Divine providence. Paul understood this when he wrote to the Corinthians in chapter 3v6 "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase."
He continues to compare with the natural process, which is easily understood..."The earth bringeth forth fruit of itself, first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." The progress is slow, we cannot expect immediate results. Every farmer knows it, every gardener, so must every evangelist and pastor-teacher in the work of God. From nothing to small beginnings to full production, says Jesus "So is the kingdom of God". According to Revelation chapter14, it is the Son of man, the very one who is speaking this parable, who will be the one to wield the sickle at the time of harvest. There it refers to rejecters, here the harvest refers to believers.
The parable of the mustard seed Mark 4vv30-34
The parable continues the theme of growth, but from a very different perspective. It is true in the natural sphere the mustard seed grows from tiny to massive proportions; however to interpret that as the principal teaching here is to miss the point altogether. What is here is the declaration of unnatural growth, disproportionate growth, that leads to an ungodly outcome, because it says "..the fowls of the air lodge under the shadow of it." Jesus has already given the meaning of "the fowls of the air" in verses 4&15 as being symbolic of Satan and we cannot change the meaning in the same context. The references there show Satan in opposition to the word, but now here he is resting under the shadow of the great tree. It can only mean that what started from small beginnings would grow so big that the devil who opposed it is now part of it, now happy with it, now at home in it; this can only mean compromise, God will not compromise with Satan! He will not rest where Satan rests. What Jesus is speaking of here is of a monstrosity which imbibes part truth and part error where Satan is happy to dwell, and anyone who knows the world-wide professing church today can recognise it's existence...a massive truth-compromising body, involving multiple denominations professing truth but mingling it with serious error, such that the devil and his hosts are at rest within it. In order to be plausible, error must contain elements of truth. The present trend to unite hitherto divided bodies in the mass compromise of religious syncretism, the promotion of pluralism, the claim of a multi-faith system, is nothing short of "the way of Cain" which God rejected from the beginning. Matthew and Luke both record that in the growth of the mustard seed the herb would become a tree, an unnatural development, not according to God. Also in the parable of the seed Jesus said "So is the kingdom of God" in the parable of the mustard seed He said "Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God?" What He is predicting here is a spiritual imitation of the real thing, an unnatural monstrosity which is harbouring the hosts of Satan, whilst professing godliness. A study of the first four parables of Matthew chapter 13 reveals the following; that the ploy of Satan as the adversary of truth moves from opposition in the sower, to imitation in the tares, to corruption in the leaven, to infiltration in the mustard seed. The tragedy of it is this, that millions are being deceived, and are unwittingly following the doctrines of demons taking them down to eternal loss. Do not be deceived by the men and women of the cloth who are telling you the road to eternal blessing is through any church or religion, or through any good works you may do, you are being misinformed.
In the use of parables Jesus is illustrating the word of God to us. Trust in His word alone will save us, trust in any other will destroy us.
The parable continues the theme of growth, but from a very different perspective. It is true in the natural sphere the mustard seed grows from tiny to massive proportions; however to interpret that as the principal teaching here is to miss the point altogether. What is here is the declaration of unnatural growth, disproportionate growth, that leads to an ungodly outcome, because it says "..the fowls of the air lodge under the shadow of it." Jesus has already given the meaning of "the fowls of the air" in verses 4&15 as being symbolic of Satan and we cannot change the meaning in the same context. The references there show Satan in opposition to the word, but now here he is resting under the shadow of the great tree. It can only mean that what started from small beginnings would grow so big that the devil who opposed it is now part of it, now happy with it, now at home in it; this can only mean compromise, God will not compromise with Satan! He will not rest where Satan rests. What Jesus is speaking of here is of a monstrosity which imbibes part truth and part error where Satan is happy to dwell, and anyone who knows the world-wide professing church today can recognise it's existence...a massive truth-compromising body, involving multiple denominations professing truth but mingling it with serious error, such that the devil and his hosts are at rest within it. In order to be plausible, error must contain elements of truth. The present trend to unite hitherto divided bodies in the mass compromise of religious syncretism, the promotion of pluralism, the claim of a multi-faith system, is nothing short of "the way of Cain" which God rejected from the beginning. Matthew and Luke both record that in the growth of the mustard seed the herb would become a tree, an unnatural development, not according to God. Also in the parable of the seed Jesus said "So is the kingdom of God" in the parable of the mustard seed He said "Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God?" What He is predicting here is a spiritual imitation of the real thing, an unnatural monstrosity which is harbouring the hosts of Satan, whilst professing godliness. A study of the first four parables of Matthew chapter 13 reveals the following; that the ploy of Satan as the adversary of truth moves from opposition in the sower, to imitation in the tares, to corruption in the leaven, to infiltration in the mustard seed. The tragedy of it is this, that millions are being deceived, and are unwittingly following the doctrines of demons taking them down to eternal loss. Do not be deceived by the men and women of the cloth who are telling you the road to eternal blessing is through any church or religion, or through any good works you may do, you are being misinformed.
In the use of parables Jesus is illustrating the word of God to us. Trust in His word alone will save us, trust in any other will destroy us.
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