Mark 4:21-34
Be Still: Lord, as sure as the sun rises today, let me do your will. Open my lips and my mouth will sing your praise. Amen
Read: Mark 4:21-34
He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces corn – first the stalk, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. As soon as the corn is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.’ (v26-29)
Encounter: I really want the gift of evangelism. I see people in my life who seem to be a magnet for unbelievers. They seem to lead people to Jesus with such ease. I wonder, what is it that makes it so easy for them? Well, here in Mark 4, Jesus lets us in on a little secret: God is doing most of the work. We just have to scatter the seed.
Have you ever scattered actual seed in a garden? I really doesn’t take much effort. You walk along a path with a handful of seed, throw it in the general direction of earth and that’s it. It’s not rocket science. Yes, there’s water and sun involved, there’s fertiliser and all sorts of things you can get to aid in the growing, but in this parable, Jesus doesn’t need any of that. All we have to do is scatter and one other thing: harvest. Anyone can do that! In another passage, Jesus tells us plainly, the harvest is ripe. (Mt. 9:37) That’s even better. We didn’t have to do the scattering. We just pick the ripe fruit. I like that kind of evangelism. Yeah, I think I can do that!
Right now, it’s looking like 2025-2026 may be a great year for a harvest. With the quiet revival picking up steam, it seems the Holy Spirit has already been busy at work in the lives of people all over the country. We just need to do our part now and give people the opportunity to follow him and that means speaking up. We can do this!
Apply: Who are the people around you that God is highlighting for you to speak to? Ask God to reveal it and then pray for them. Ask God where he wants you to scatter seed and take a risk today. Tell them about the hope you have in Jesus and invite them to try church and come with you on that journey. Let God do the growing.
Devote: Lord Jesus, give me a spirit of love and boldness to speak to others about who you are and what you’ve done. Show me who to speak to, and help me to be obedient stepping out and taking risks today. Amen