This text is about God’s way of working in two respects:

1. God’s work in secrecy (Mark 4:26–29) and

2. God’s work in humiliation (Mark 4:30–32).

1. God works in secrecy. The sown Word does its work. But much of this is not immediately apparent. Sowing, germination, growing, blooming, and bearing fruit take time. But God is at work. And the farmer, who has sown, is asleep… What a relaxing phrase! The seed has the power to grow by itself.

This does not mean that we are passive. Just like Jesus, we must sow: preach the Word in the church, but also in educating our children, and in conversations with others. Then we can put the results of these actions in the hands of God. He gives fruit! This takes away the stress.

2. God’s work is done in humiliation. The seed must die before it bears fruit, just as Jesus had to die before he saw fruit on his work. The whole process is therefore not without pain and effort.

We do our work in the church and in education in the faith that God’s work will be finished. God will make his kingdom conquer. Just as the mustard seed grows into a large bush, thus the sown Word will bring an empire that will even encompass heaven and earth. The harvest is coming and will be enormous.

The call is to remain faithful. Live as a Christian in your place. Do everything out of love for Jesus. God can and will use you to build his kingdom. You just need to keep sowing and do no give up.