Seed or soil?

One of my favorite books is “The Diamond Age: Or, A Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer. I often think of this book when I am thinking of seeds.(If you’ve read it, you’ll understand.)

In Mark 4:26-29, Jesus told this parable:

“The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seeds on the ground. He sleeps and gets up night and day while the seeds sprout and grow, although he doesn’t know how the ground produces grain by itself—first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, he immediately starts cutting with his sickle because the harvest time has come.”

How much work does the man really do? The seed does all the work, yet the man reaps the reward.

I’ve been thinking about seeds a lot lately. There is great power in a seed.

In another parable, Jesus emphasized the soil the seed is planted in. Did you ever think about that soil? You should… it’s got more to do with you than the seed.