“The Harvest is sure.” –William Barclay
My Sunday School class has been studying the book of Mark. In chapter 4, Jesus tells the story of the four soils. The parable goes like this: a farmer is planting seed in his field. As he scatters the seed, some of the seed falls upon the footpath. The birds quickly come and snatch up this seed, keeping the seed from producing any fruit. Other seed falls upon the hard ground with underlying rock, keeping it from being able to take root and produce fruit. Still more seed falls on the thorny ground, where the thorns are so thick they choke out any attempt at producing fruit. Finally, some seed falls on the fertile ground, where it is able to take root and grow into good fruit.
Jesus tells this story to an audience gathered at the lake. After the crowd leaves, He elaborates on the passage with His disciples. He goes on to explain that the seed that falls on the footpath is like the word falling on the ears of those who are indifferent towards the message of God. The enemy immediately comes in and snatches the message away. The seed that falls on the rocky ground is like those who hear the message, but without deep roots, the enemy is able to snatch the message away before too long. The seed that falls among the thorns is like those who hear the message, but they have trouble implementing the message because they are plagued by worries, persecution, or busyness that there is no room for the message in their lives. Finally, the seed that falls on the fertile soil produces fruit, thus producing a harvest for the farmer.
I have heard this message preached in church or taught in Sunday School on a number of different occasions, but this time was different. While preparing for this Sunday School lesson, I read notes and commentaries, and a new thought stood out to me: the harvest is sure. This quote is from William Barclay’s commentary of Mark. As someone who serves in ministry, there can be seasons of great discouragement when we do not think that the message we are teaching is falling on fertile soil, or listening ears. It can be hard sometimes to see beyond the footpath, the rocky soil, and the thorny soil where it appears that all the seed we are spreading is falling. But, as in the parable, there are always a handful of seeds that fall on fertile soil. As Barclay says,
“Although part of the seed never grew, the fact remained that at the end of the day there was a splendid harvest. This is the parable to end despair. It may seem that much of our effort achieves no result; it may seem that much of our labor is wasted. That is how the disciples were feeling, when they saw Jesus banished from the synagogue and regarded with suspicion. In many places His message seemed to have failed, and they were discouraged and down-hearted. But this parable said to them, and says to us, ‘Patience! Do your work. Sow the seed. Leave the rest to God. The harvest is sure.’”
Be encouraged today that what you are doing to serve the kingdom of God matters. If God has called you to sow in someone’s life, the harvest is sure. Work, as the Lord has called you, sow diligently, and wait with patience for the day when the harvest will spring forth. Remember too that you may be the recipient of unsowed seeds. Pray that you would have ears to hear so that all areas of your life may be fertile ground for God to bear much fruit.
