September 16 | Mark 4: 26-29
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
It is Certain.
By Jenny Raber
As a kid, I enjoyed a Magic 8 Ball. I loved asking it the questions of life’s great mysteries. Should I get a perm? Will I get an A on the math test? Will my softball team win Saturday morning? I relished the drama of asking it the desired question, gently shaking while turning it over to see which of the answers on the 20-sided dice would appear through the little glass window. Most often, “ask again later” appeared. But, of course, I hoped for the affirmative answers, like: “outlook good,” “signs point to yes,” or “it is certain.”
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus speaks to the crowd using the secretive language of parables. Parables, sometimes referred to as “earthly stories with heavenly meanings,” are inspired comparisons that serve as a doorway to God’s truth and His purpose. They call us to do more than just hear the story; they call us to seek the spiritual truth behind it.
In the Parable of the Growing Seed, we, like the crowd, must decide if we are curious enough to seek its truth. However, like the Magic 8 Ball, its vagueness may leave us confused, with more questions than answers. With our growing curiosity, we must discover the key that will help reveal its spiritual meaning and how it applies to our daily lives.
What is the spiritual truth of this parable? After reading the earlier Parable of the Sower (Mark 4: 1-20), we infer that the seed is the Word of God—perfectly created and designed with a heavenly, holy purpose. It is the key to unlocking this parable. The seed contains the secret to growth. When our hearts receive God’s Word, even a tiny bit, it begins to live and grow invisibly within us, day and night. In a mysterious, yet certain way, God’s Word reshapes and transforms our lives, preparing us for the Kingdom of God which Jesus announces is at hand:
“‘The time has come…[t]he kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’” (Mark 1:15)
Jesus proclaims that the Kingdom of God is less about location, and more about the unstoppable power and dynamic reality of God’s presence within us and within His creation. Mysteriously and without human effort, God’s powerful presence produces something glorious in each of us. We may want a timeline. We may want to dig up the seed to check its progress. We may even, while waiting for evidence of change, add other distractions to our lives. But about this we can be certain: the Word of God will grow and spread with unstoppable power despite its small beginning. We must join Mark in proclaiming “‘[t]he beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God…’” (Mark 1: 1) Let us plant this seed of truth: The Kingdom is come!
PRAYER
Heavenly, Holy Father, thank you for the mysterious yet certain work you do in our hearts. We are in deep awe of your powerful Kingdom work in us and for us. Continue to root our hearts in patience as You gracefully grow our lives to bear fruit that honors Your Kingdom. In Your Name, Amen!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JENNY RABER
I am so grateful for the loving and welcoming community at UALC. My husband and I, along with our three (now adult) children began attending Lytham Road services around 2009. And before that, well, I’ve just loved the Bible for about as long as I can remember. I am so thrilled to be a part of the Daily Devotional Writing Team.
It is certain! Amen