Mark 4:26-29

(26) And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground: (27) And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. (28) For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. (29) But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

I consider this Parable, though short, yet as sweet, as either of our LORD's Parables in the illustration of his grace to his people. So is the kingdom of GOD, which is known by grace here, and glory hereafter, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and sleep and rise, night and day, while the seed springeth and groweth he knoweth not how. We cannot err in considering this seed, as the incorruptible seed, which liveth and abideth forever: and that it is so, is evident from its growth and quality. But the man who is said to cast seed into the ground, cannot mean our LORD JESUS CHRIST, for he neither slumbereth nor sleepeth; neither can it be ever said of him, that his seed springeth, and groweth he knoweth not how. Psalms 121:4; Isaiah 27:2. His servants are said to minister to the Churches of the Spirit. Galatians 3:5. And of them it may be truly said, the seed groweth they know not how. And although, all faithful dispensers of the word, do watch over the spiritual plantation, and steep the word sown both in tears and prayers; yet, from their natural infirmity, they too often sleep, though not the sleep of spiritual death! The harvest however arrives not, to their consciousness, in the fields of their labors in numberless instances, until they themselves have fallen asleep in Jesus. Many a seedtime, and many a day's labor, followed up with prayer, do faithful ministers of JESUS leave behind them, which are answered, when their poor bodies are mouldering in the grave.

And the latter part of the Parable, is not less beautiful than the former. The earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; that is, not the unrenewed heart of man, which the earth figuratively represents; but the renewed heart, now considered, as in the kingdom of grace, which this Parable is said to represent. It bringeth forth fruit void of the husbandman's care, who sleeps night and day, while the seed is growing he knoweth not how. A most precious and blessed proof of the SPIRIT's work in the heart; and that the whole is according to that sweet scripture: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, said the LORD. Zechariah 4:6. And the process of the whole proves the work wholly of the same. First the blade, then the ear; after that the full corn in the ear. As in nature, so in grace. The child, though perfect in all its parts, hath to grow from the babe to the young man, and at length to the father in GOD. And when grace is ripened for glory, like the fruit ripe for harvest, Jesus takes home his redeemed to him, to his harvest in heaven. Reader! do not overlook in the beauties of the Parable, the sweet enjoyment of a personal interest in it. The seed cast in the renewed heart, made so by grace, gives the sure earnest of the harvest. Though men sleep, and know not how the advance is made, JESUS both knows, gives the needed supply, and watches over the whole plantation. To you, to me, things may at times appear, as in a wintry dispensation. But to JESUS the progress, is advancing. The promise is absolute from GOD the FATHER. I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring. Isaiah 44:3; Isaiah 59:21. And a soul renewed in CHRIST, must be separated from CHRIST, before those promises can fail. Romans 8:39. Blessedly, therefore, the Apostle sings, to the full assurance of faith, when he saith, Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is GOD, who hath also given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5:5.