Scripture Reading : Mark 4:26-34
Theme : Two Parables on Seeds
- Grain Seed. This parable illustrates that spiritual growth in the lives of genuine believers is apart from the sower. The sower is responsible only to sow, but the growth is caused by God. The sower can provide the conditions suitable for growth, but the growth cannot be forced. If the sower tries to speed up the process by pulling the ear and the blade before the grain is ripe, it will certainly damage the grain. In a similar fashion, spiritual growth cannot be prematurely forced.
- Mustard Seed. The mustard seed is not the smallest of all known seeds, but the smallest of the different kinds of seeds Jews sowed in their fields. The leaves of the mustard plant were used as a vegetable and its seed as a condiment. When fully grown, the size of the mustard plant was larger than all the other garden plants of similar use. Such growth is out-of-proportion, considering that the seed is the smallest. The kingdom of God is like such a seed, said Jesus, because it had a small and seemingly insignificant beginning, but eventually will grow in such proportions that will affect the entire world.
Praying the Scripture
- We should be diligent as sowers and preach the Gospel and the Word of God, which is our responsibility as Christians. Spiritual growth in the lives of believers is not our responsibility. Paul also wrote that “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” Therefore, we should be faithful in planting and watering (preaching and teaching the Word of God), and leave the growth to Him (1 Cor. 3:6-7). Let us pray that we have patience as we counsel and guide immature believers, and not try to force their spiritual growth by our means.
- We should not be discouraged when our ministry started small. As long as we are faithful in doing what is right according to God’s Word, He will grant the growth. When God is blessing the ministry, even a small ministry can grow to become one that does big things for God. Let us pray that we will not be discouraged, but trust in God and be faithful in the ministry He has given to us.
经文：马可福音4:26-34
主题：有关种子的两个比喻
- 五谷。这个比喻叙述了真实信徒的属灵成长是在撒种之人以外的。撒种的人只负责播种，但成长是神给的。撒种的人可以提供为种子生长的良好环境，但生长本身是不可勉强的。倘若撒种的试着加快过程而在谷未成熟前先把穗拔起并用刀割下，谷必受损。同样的，属灵成长是不由得在成熟前被迫的。
- 芥菜种。芥菜种并不是世上最小的种子，却是犹太人耕种的种子中最小的。芥菜种的叶子可用做菜，其种子可用做调味料。长起来后，它比各样有同用处的菜都大。这种成长是不成比例的，因为它原是最小的。耶稣说，神的国就如这种子，因为它起初似小又微不足道，但最终会倍数成长，影响全世界。
用经文祷告
- 我们当殷勤撒种，并传福音及神的道——这就是我们基督徒的责任。信徒的属灵成长则不由我们。保罗也曾写道：“我栽种了，亚波罗浇灌了，唯有神叫他生长。”因此，我们当在撒种和浇灌上要忠心（传扬并教导神的话），并把成长交托于神（林前3:6-7）。让我们祈求我们在辅导与引导不成熟的信徒上有耐心，而不是用自己的手段勉强他们在灵命中成长。
- 我们的事工若小，也不当灰心。只要我们按神的话语忠心行事，祂便会给予成长。当神祝福一个事工时，即便小事工也能长成为神做大事的。让我们祷告我们不要灰心，乃信神，在祂所给予我们的事工上忠心。
