In Mark 4:26-2926And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. (Mark 4:26‑29), we find a similitude of the kingdom not mentioned by the other evangelists. It follows the parable of the sower and the Lord’s explanation of it to His disciples. We should bear in mind that this gospel presents our Lord Jesus Christ as the Servant-Prophet, the Minister of the Word. Then the chapter concludes with their entering the boat and crossing the lake.
Sleep and Rise
We have first, in the parable of the sower, the new place the Lord takes consequent upon His rejection. He brings that which has life in it, instead of seeking fruit from men. He explains the parable, and then He gives the similitude of the kingdom that shows what would succeed the time of seed-sowing by the Lord personally — the time He would absent Himself from the scene of labor. According to all appearance, He would not only take no active part in tending the seed, but would seem to take no interest in it. It is as if He “should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, He knoweth not how” (Mark 4:2727And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. (Mark 4:27)). Let us observe, in passing, the expression “sleep, and rise,” for this thought seems to recur at the close of the chapter. The earth brings forth fruit of itself, but at harvesttime the Lord personally reasserts His place and puts in the sickle. So will it be at the end of the age. The parable of the mustard tree follows, which develops the thought of what Christendom would become in the world during Christ’s absence. Springing from the smallest of seeds, it would become great. It becomes “greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches,” so that the fowls of the air (the powers of evil) may lodge under the shadow of it.
Now this is what we find true today. Christendom has become a worldly power, and for faith there is often the deep exercise, “Where is Christ in all this?” What a comfort that, when they were alone, “He expounded all things to His disciples.” If we cultivated communion more with Christ alone, we should understand His things better. The slackness is with us, never with Him.
The Other Side
In our chapter, the evening has now come at the close of the day of toil, and likewise the day of seed-sowing and salvation is rapidly drawing to an end. What has the heart of the disciple to steady it in a world like this, which becomes a foreign element to him when he knows Christ? Oh! these blessed words, “Let us pass over unto the other side” (Mark 4:3535And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. (Mark 4:35)). What security they breathe! What joy! In spite of the fact that the world does not see Him, we see Him (John 14:1919Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. (John 14:19)), and in all the confusion of the present moment, His Word strengthens the feeble and claims the allegiance of all. “Let us pass over unto the other side.” How could there be room for fear in the hearts of the disciples if they had seen what the words implied? They meant that He charged Himself with their safety right over to the other shore. And yet they cry out at the appearance of danger, with the unbelieving thought that He did not care if they perished!
He Slept and He Arose
Yes! but you may say He was asleep. Beloved, after that word, “Let us go,” whatever happened, they were secure. It was only to sight and sense that He seemed to take no interest in their welfare, but neither the storms of life nor all the powers of evil can engulf us if we confide in Him. He slept, but at their cry He arose (compare vs. 27) and rebuked the elements; the disciples saw the power and love that was with them all the time, though they did not know it. “There was a great calm” (vs. 39). Is it too much to say that spiritually such a juncture as this occurs in the history of each of us? The power of death affrights the soul, but acquaintance with Christ’s Word and the knowledge of His presence quiets every fear for the journey. It is only in unbelief that He does not care. And when our hearts know Him thus and know that He is with us “all the days, until the completion of the age” (Matt. 28:2020Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20) JND), what fear can remain? Is there not “a great calm” in the soul?
In the midst of all the dangers, the heaving and tossing and threatening of the billows, do we know that voice that speaks not only peace to the elements, but a great calm to the heart, by the same almighty power? The Lord give all His saints to know Him better in this way.
F. W. Lavington (adapted)