Mark 4:26-29

Kingdom of Rest

Devotional 22 of 50 · Mark chapter 4

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After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be

Mark 4:26-29 · BSB

²⁶Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground. ²⁷Night and day he sleeps and wakes, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he knows not how. ²⁸All by itself the earth produces a crop—first the stalk, then the head, then grain that ripens within. ²⁹And as soon as the grain is ripe, he swings the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

Jesus

This parable reveals that the Kingdom is alive and growing in ways similar to planted seeds. There is first an unseen life and growth beneath the surface. Next, visible green shoots break through the soil, and lastly, it becomes ready for harvest as the fruit ripens.

During this process, the farmer goes about life—sleeping, waking—unaware of the growth. A force, an invisible hand, is turning this seed into a fruit-bearing plant. This parallels Jesus’ Kingdom. His Kingdom is growing and advancing in unseen ways. We are often unaware of the growth until we see the fruit.

His Desires

The farmer does not make the seed bear fruit. Likewise, the fruitfulness of the believer’s life is the work of God. God Himself, through the Holy Spirit, is at work to build allegiance and new life in, and to, Jesus Christ.

Jesus desires, as we yield to Him, to grow His Kingdom in us. Rest, just like the farmer, in the security of the implanted word, trusting it to bear fruit. And when the fruit comes, rejoice that this fruit is the work of God.

Follow Through

Trust in the implanted word of Christ.
Rest in the fact that God is at work.
Rely on God to bear fruit throughout your life.
The Seed Growing Secretly
26Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground. 27Night and day he sleeps and wakes, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he knows not how. 28All by itself the earth produces a crop—first the stalk, then the head, then grain that ripens within. 29And as soon as the grain is ripe, he swings the sickle, because the harvest has come.c”

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Devotional 22 of 50

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