Who Is This, That Even the Wind and the Waves Obey Him? (Mark 4:35-41)

 

Who Is This, That Even the Wind and the Waves Obey Him? (Mark 4:35-41)

No one wants to run into trouble. For humans, the sea is a dangerous place. While sailing, one can encounter violent storms and face shipwreck or sinking. Every year, many people lose their lives by drowning in seas, rivers, and lakes.

Our journey through life is much like navigating a rough sea. Natural disasters, accidents, illnesses, broken relationships, and the pressures and stresses of daily life can strike at any moment. That is why people buy insurance to prepare for accidents. Yet, the harsh reality is that no matter how much we prepare, we cannot avoid everything.

In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus got into a boat with his disciples to go to the other side. Along the way, they hit a massive storm. Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves and made them calm. The disciples were amazed, wondering who Jesus was that even the wind and the sea obeyed him.

Let us go over to the other side

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. (Mark 4:35-36)

What was Jesus’ daily life like? He was constantly surrounded by crowds. The twelve disciples and others stayed with him every day. His mother and other women also accompanied him and cared for his needs (Mark 15:41).

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus went out to a solitary place to pray to God the Father (Mark 1:35). He taught the secrets of the kingdom of heaven to those who came to him. He spoke using many parables and explained them to his disciples (Mark 4:34).

At times, Jesus didn't even have a chance to eat, leading to rumors that he was "out of his mind" (Mark 3:21). Because word spread that he healed the sick, so many people gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door (Mark 2:2). Even at night, people brought the sick to him (Mark 1:32-34).

Jesus also clashed with the Pharisees, Sadducees, and teachers of the law over Sabbath regulations, primarily because he healed people on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1-6; Luke 13:10-17; John 5:1-18). The Pharisees rejected and denied Jesus Christ—who came as the Son of God—and eventually handed him over to Pilate to be crucified.

Jesus repeatedly told his disciples that he would suffer at the hands of the Pharisees and priests, be killed, and then rise again (Mark 9:31; Luke 9:44; Matthew 17:22-23). As Jews, the young disciples expected a Messiah like King David. They followed Jesus believing he was that kind of Messiah.

Consequently, it was not easy for them to accept a suffering Christ (Mark 8:32). Jesus spent significant time with them, teaching the secrets of the kingdom and planting the gospel of the cross and resurrection. Above all, Jesus cherished and protected the disciples who had left everything to follow him, loving them to the point of giving up his life.

As evening fell, Jesus suggested going to the other side of the sea to spend time with his disciples. The young disciples felt burdened by the crowds that followed them regardless of time or place (Matthew 14:15). It was also quite uncomfortable for them to witness Jesus constantly clashing with the Pharisees and priests (Matthew 15:12). Jesus knew their situation and their hearts (Luke 21:18). He knew they needed rest and recharging. Jesus was the Good Shepherd to his disciples (John 10:11).

A furious squall came up

37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:37-38)

While crossing the Sea of Galilee, a massive storm arose, and waves surged as if to swallow the boat. At that moment, Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. In contrast, the disciples—some of whom were experienced fishermen in these very waters—were filled with the fear of death.

This scene is hard to wrap one's head around. How could a massive storm try to swallow the boat when Jesus Christ, the Creator God who made the heavens and the earth, was on board? Yet, no matter how great the storm, it could not startle the Lord Jesus Christ, the Creator.

Jesus took on human form through the Incarnation; he felt fatigue and hunger. He faced criticism, accusations, and ridicule. However, nothing could shock, anger, or terrify Him.

Through this event, Jesus taught the disciples a new truth (Mark 4:41). Someone once said, "I used to hope for good things to happen. These days, I just hope for nothing to happen." Sometimes our hearts sink when we get a long-distance call from family living far away. Our lists of prayer requests are so diverse and long.

Like the disciples, we often cry out in panic and complain to the peacefully sleeping Jesus. In the midst of hardship or pain, we feel as though God is just a bystander doing nothing.

However, the storm is a tool that leads us to the Lord. The pain and suffering we face in life are evidence of God’s holy, refining love (Hebrews 12:6). God uses various forms of hardship to train us to rely on the Lord Jehovah and to become more like Jesus Christ.

As a measure of growth in Christ, these questions are worth asking: Are you a little less startled by trouble than before? A little less panicked? Do you complain or resent things a little less? Do you look more toward the suffering Jesus Christ? Do you believe that hardship is something everyone faces?

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope (Romans 5:3-4).

Jesus Calms the Storm

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:39-41)

Jesus woke up and first rebuked the wind. Why did He rebuke the wind? Wind itself is neither right nor wrong; everything God created was "very good" (Genesis 1:31). Jesus rebuked the wind because it was the devil hiding behind the elements, attempting to swallow the disciples. Satan attacks with the evil intent of planting fear, increasing anxiety, and ultimately causing us to resent God and fall away from His love.

When Jesus commanded the sea to be "Quiet! Be still!", the wind stopped and it became perfectly calm. The sea obeyed the word of Jesus Christ, the Creator God (Psalm 77:16).

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea into heaps; he puts the deep into storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm (Psalm 33:6-9).

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a tier, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance (Isaiah 40:12)?

Jesus Christ: The Lord of Salvation

By first calming the wind, Jesus saved His disciples. Sometimes, our pain and difficulties seem to last a long time, and we don't know when they will end. However, the Lord Jesus Christ, our Creator, protects us like the apple of His eye, becomes our shield, and delivers us.

Just as God promised Abraham, He saved his descendants from the grip of Egypt through Moses after four hundred years. According to His plan established before the beginning of time, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to this earth. He fulfilled everything exactly as promised through the Law and the Prophets.

The patriarchs of faith—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—were surrounded by enemies and constantly exposed to threats. However, God was their shield and their very great reward; no matter how strong the enemies were, He protected them so that not a finger could be laid upon them (Genesis 15:1).

At the same time, God refined them so that their faith in the Lord would deepen and remain unshaken. The hardships they faced are the same as the pain and suffering we encounter today, though the times and environments differ (1 Corinthians 10:13). This is evidence that God loves and cherishes us.

Most importantly, God covenanted to send them the Messiah who would save the world from sin. They believed God's covenant, looked forward to the Christ who was to come, and kept their faith while enduring pain in foreign lands. We, likewise, believe in the Christ who came, shed His blood on the cross, and rose again, enduring daily to keep our faith.

Furthermore, together with the pioneers of faith, we hope for the Christ who will come again (Hebrews 11:39-40). When Jesus ascended into heaven in the clouds, God promised through angels that the Lord would return in glory and power (Acts 1:11). We look forward to the Day of the Lord and continue to participate in the remaining sufferings of Jesus Christ.

"Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

Jesus then rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith. They were afraid because they lacked faith; fear is equivalent to a lack of faith. They failed to realize they were with the Creator God. Some manuscripts record: "Do you still have no faith?" What our Lord desires is faith that trusts in Him.

Jesus fully believed, trusted, and entrusted Himself to God the Father. He always had complete faith in the Father who made the heavens, the earth, and all things. Jesus taught the disciples that He is the Son of Man sent by God.

Only then did the disciples see and believe that Jesus is the Creator God who made and governs all things. They asked, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" The disciples' faith grew to the next level. Their eyes were opened to see and believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, who was with them, is the Creator God who moves the universe. Amen!

God delights in revealing everything about Himself. He also delights in those who believe, seek, and rely on Him. Through the storm, God taught the disciples that the Son of Man is the God who created the heavens and the earth. Through that storm, the disciples learned to follow, believe, and obey Jesus Christ, who came as the Son of Man.

February 1, 2026

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2026, David Lee Ministries ©2026 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30–34)

 

The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30–34)

What does the church look like? It resembles Jesus Christ. As the prophet Isaiah predicted, Jesus bore the cross and died like a sinner: "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him" (Isaiah 53:2). Jesus commanded his disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him (Luke 9:23). This is the true image of a believer.

In Mark 4:30–34, Jesus reveals the secrets of the kingdom of God through the Parable of the Mustard Seed. He clarifies the nature of the church established on this earth—that is, the nature of the believers who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31–32; Luke 13:18–19)

30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth at the time it is planted. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade” (Mark 4:30–32).

The Parable of the Mustard Seed is well-known, yet its interpretation is debated. One common view is that it depicts the church starting small and eventually growing into something massive and grand. However, before telling this parable, Jesus asked himself how he might compare the kingdom of God.

This suggests that the parable points toward the qualitative aspect of the kingdom rather than just quantitative expansion. God separated light from darkness (Genesis 1:4). There is truth and falsehood, good and evil, right and wrong. God is good and holy; in Him, there is no darkness, only a fullness of holiness, truth, glory, and power.

However, there was one who rebelled against God’s glory: Satan. Instead of submitting to God, he sought to make himself higher than God (Isaiah 14:13–14). He seeks to devour believers whenever possible and is the one who tempted the woman into the Fall.

Consequently, the world contains a mix of truth and lies, good and evil. Through Adam, evil settled within humanity in the form of hatred, envy, jealousy, murder, and discontent. To remove that evil, God’s Son, Jesus Christ, shed His blood and died. Now, whoever believes in the blood of the Son of God receives forgiveness and eternal life (John 3:16).

Unfortunately, within the church, there are both true believers born again by Christ’s blood and "fakes" who are not. Attending church, giving offerings, or even evangelizing doesn't automatically make someone the real deal. One can mimic a believer without being born again—Judas Iscariot is a prime example.

But a day is coming when the real and the fake will be distinguished: The Day of the Lord. On that day, God will judge the evil of this world (John 3:18). It is the day when Jesus Christ, who ascended to heaven, returns as the Judge of all things (2 Peter 3:10). Every evil will be exposed and judged (Isaiah 14:16).

The Meaning of the Parable

A mustard seed is small, but it isn't literally the smallest seed in existence. Jesus, the Creator who made all things, certainly knew this. The point is that after this small seed is planted, it grows larger than all garden plants, spreading branches so large that birds perch in its shade.

When Jesus explained the Parable of the Sower, he noted that if one doesn't understand that parable, they won't understand any others (Mark 4:13). In that context, he identified birds as representing Satan (Mark 4:15). Therefore, a small seed growing larger than all other plants represents abnormal growth. It becomes bloated and corrupted, turning into a haunt for Satan.

Historically and currently, we see "churches" committing harmful acts. Under the mask of religion and using the name of Christ, they do the work of the devil. In the first century, the Pharisees and teachers of the law were appointed as spiritual leaders, yet they became "children of the devil," leading the persecution and execution of Jesus (John 8:44).

In what way is the Kingdom of God like a mustard seed?

Even a tiny bit of mustard has a pungent, sharp "kick." As the saying goes, "Small peppers are the spiciest." Jesus declared His disciples to be the salt and light of the world (Matthew 5:13–16). Salt provides flavor; you can't see it, but you know it’s there when you taste it.

Light drives out darkness. Where there is light, darkness has no place to stand. In the presence of Jesus, no lie or darkness can remain. Therefore, those who follow Him do not walk in darkness but in light (John 8:12, 12:46).

The church is not meant to be a grand, flashy building that seeks the world's attention. It isn't defined by outward appearances like clothing or symbols. The "church" refers to the people following Jesus Christ. Jesus bore the cross like a sinner, enduring intense pain and shame (Isaiah 53:3). He was not someone who looked beautiful or desirable by worldly standards (Isaiah 53:2).

Disciples who follow Jesus will look like Him. They will face persecution, rejection, and suffering from this world. They are objects of the world's hatred, not its admiration. The world does not recognize Jesus or those who follow Him (John 15:17).

18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also" (John 15:18–20).

The church established on earth—the believers following Jesus—may be as small and "invisible" as a mustard seed, but they function as salt and light. Though they may not be flashy or highly visible, the church provides a "pungent taste" to the world that cannot simply be ignored.

An Example: Isaac Digging Wells

Isaac went down to Gerar because there was a famine (Gen 26:1). His intended destination was Egypt, but the Lord commanded him to stay there (Gen 26:2). In that place, Isaac dug wells, but every time he found a new one, the Philistines came, claimed it as theirs, and stopped them up (Gen 26:15). Not just once, but several times, Isaac suffered the humiliation of having his wells taken away (Gen 26:14-22).

However, eventually, Abimelek, the king of the Philistines, came to Isaac and asked to make a peace treaty (Gen 26:26). He came to Isaac because he saw that the Lord was with him (Gen 26:28). Isaac did not fight back against the Philistines; though he endured shame and hardship, through this, he revealed the glory and power of the Lord Almighty to those who did not believe.

Jesus Christ, Who Bore the Cross and Shed His Blood

Jesus bore the cross and died appearing as a sinner. He died in a way that looked like he was yielding to the power and authority of this world. However, through the death of Jesus Christ, the grace of salvation came to this world:

"He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed." (1 Pet 2:24)

The death of Christ was the price of ransom for those trapped under the power of sin and death (Matt 20:28; 1 Tim 2:6). With the blood He shed, Jesus bound Satan and set believers free (Mark 3:27).

The devil tempted Jesus to avoid the cross and reveal his Messiahship in other ways. Satan tempted Jesus to jump from the highest point of the temple (Matt 4:5-6). He also showed him the glory of all the kingdoms and tempted him to bow down (Matt 4:8-9). Even while Jesus was on the cross, Satan tempted him to "come down... that we may see and believe" (Mark 15:29-32).

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:2)

God raised Jesus Christ, who gave his life for the sins of the world, from the dead (Acts 2:24; Rom 8:11). God broke the power of death through the resurrection power of the Creator. Jesus rejoiced in the grace of the Father, who gives eternal life to every believer because He endured suffering.

Therefore, we clothe ourselves with Christ's humility, gentleness, and righteousness, and we forgive and love one another. We pray daily that Christ may dwell fully in our hearts and that the Word of the Lord may take hold of our hearts and lives.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:12-17) Amen, Amen!

Teaching in Parables

33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. (Mark 4:33-34)

Jesus revealed the secrets of the kingdom of heaven through parables. He did not speak without them. If light is too bright, it can actually make it harder to see—it is similar to the principle of wearing sunglasses. And to the disciples—the believers—he explained everything clearly. Jesus gives understanding to those who come to Him in faith. He blesses those who believe and obey to possess the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. Amen!

God delights in teaching the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. However, these secrets are invisible and hidden. The Kingdom of God is eternal in its glory, splendor, majesty, power, and authority. God delights in revealing the secrets of His kingdom to those who knock and seek.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. (Prov 25:2)

Though the secrets of God's kingdom are hidden, He awakens those who seek and search for them. Our life's journey is filled with storms and hidden reefs. We cannot avoid facing internal and external difficulties and pain. Relationships can be like a time bomb. Yet, within all these things, the secrets of the kingdom of heaven are hidden. One of those is the undeniable truth that "God is love."

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matt 7:7-12) Amen!

January 25, 2026

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2026, David Lee Ministries ©2026 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

The Parable of the Lamp and the Growing Seed (Mark 4:21-29)

The Parable of the Lamp and the Growing Seed (Mark 4:21-29)

What do we truly want? We want to know. Everyone has their own fields of interest. Stocks, employment, sales, tourist attractions, and restaurants are common interests for many. However, God is the source of all knowledge (Proverbs 2:6). Furthermore, God delights in making things known to us (James 1:5; Colossians 1:9-10). What God gives us is the truth.

In Mark 4:21-29, Jesus tells the Parable of the Lamp and the Parable of the Growing Seed. Here, He teaches the secret of what the Word of God is and how the sown Word grows.

A Lamp on a Stand (Luke 8:16-18)

21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Mark 4:21-23)

The Parable of the Lamp reveals the role of God’s Word. God is light, and His Word is a lamp. The Word of God is the key that unlocks the secrets of the Kingdom of God. These secrets include the secrets of humanity, evil, Christ, redemption, and bearing fruit.

It reveals where humans come from and where we are going; how we fell and how we reach salvation; how we grow; why pain and suffering continue; why there is a gap between our desires and reality; and what the true hope of humanity is.

Furthermore, it reveals how God created man, how and why He saves fallen man, how He loves us, why He refines us, and for what purpose He allows hardship and pain. Above all, it reveals the heavenly inheritance God has given to those who believe.

The Word of God is a lamp. A lamp is not intended to be hidden under a bed, but to be placed on a stand. A lamp illuminates dark places. God’s light fills all creation (Genesis 1:14). By day the sun shines, and by night the moon—reflecting the sun—shines over the darkness. The sky is filled with countless stars that embroider the dark night.

Therefore, nothing can be hidden or concealed before God. Everything is laid bare before Him.

13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13)

God observes all things with eyes like blazing fire, and He knows the hearts of all people (Revelation 2:18; John 2:24-25). God shines His holy light into the human heart.

People think they can hide things, but they cannot. There is a Korean proverb that says, "Birds hear the words spoken by day, and mice hear the words spoken by night." It means there are no secrets in this world. How much more is it true that nothing can be hidden from the Creator God who made all things?

2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. (Luke 12:2-3)

How Does God Speak?

God reveals His divine power and glory through His creation and through our bodies (Romans 1:19). God also reveals His grace and kindness through the hardships, pain, and sorrows of life (Isaiah 30:20-21; 1 Peter 4:12). The pain and suffering that everyone experiences is an expression and evidence of God’s holy love (Hebrews 12:6). He reveals His holy glory even through disasters like floods and through wars.

Most importantly, Christ who dwells within us guides, teaches, and protects us (Colossians 1:27). God sends the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit, into us; He gives us the power to obey by faith and pours out the grace to repent and turn back to Him. Also, when we open the Bible to read and meditate, He pours out the grace of understanding and inspiration.

Therefore, anyone can believe in and rely on God, who is present throughout all creation, and place their hope in the Lord (Psalm 19:1; Ephesians 1:23). God dwells in the hearts of believers, guiding, leading, and protecting them daily through His Word. Although we face tribulations in this world, we hope for the Kingdom of Heaven, which God has given as a promise.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

The Secret of Growth: Hearing and Obeying

"Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them." (Mark 4:24-25)

Humans are constantly listening. As children, we listen to our parents; in school, we listen to teachers. We even listen to the internal monologue within ourselves. However, not everything we hear is the truth. In particular, there is the whispering voice of the devil—the "ruler of the kingdom of the air" and the father of lies (Ephesians 2:2). The devil’s voice isn't always a 100% lie; it is often cleverly mixed with truth (Genesis 3:1).

Just like the spam mixed into our daily emails and texts, falsehoods are blended into our lives. If we listen poorly, we face ruin. Therefore, we must discern what we hear. This is God’s holy promise: those who hear, receive, and obey the word of God’s truth will produce a crop—thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown (Mark 4:8, 20).

Those who obey God’s Word engrave that truth deep in their hearts as a heavenly blessing. Abraham, who moved to Canaan in faithful obedience, experienced and believed in God as his "shield" and "very great reward" (Genesis 15:1). We cannot obey by knowing every outcome; we do it by faith. Consequently, obedience strengthens that faith, making it deeper and higher.

This is why those who obey by faith continue to receive "measure" (understanding). Conversely, those who lack faith and do not obey lose even what they have. This is the secret of growing in Christ: without obedience, you cannot truly grasp the truth.

God showed us the ultimate model of obedience through His Son. Jesus gave His life to obey the Father’s will (Philippians 2:8). Obedience involves risk. Abraham moved to Canaan, a place where he had nothing to rely on, simply because he believed and obeyed God's promise.

God is eternal. In Him are hidden all the treasures of eternal wisdom and knowledge (Romans 11:33; Colossians 2:3). We are called to a holy journey of discovering these treasures. While this journey is filled with challenges, we do not walk it alone. Jesus Christ, who did not spare His own life for us, is always with us (Matthew 28:20; Romans 8:32).

The Parable of the Growing Seed

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 grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come." (Mark 4:26-29)

The Parable of the Growing Seed reveals a growth process that is invisible to the eye. The Kingdom of God is like the Son of Man sowing seed in the field of the human heart. The seed grows, but we cannot see how it happens. In reality, for a seed to grow, it must first fall to the ground and "die" (John 12:24). It seems dead and buried, but from there, the sprout, the head, and finally the fruit emerge.

While the preparation happens underground, the sprout and the grain eventually become visible markers of growth. Christians may not have a physical "sign" of growth, but the evidence appears as we become more like Christ.

As the years pass in Christ, we find ourselves becoming:

• Less: Angry, shocked, anxious, resentful, and envious.
• More: Forgiving, loving, thankful, hopeful, and compassionate.

We begin to forgive even those who are hard to love. Instead of demanding our rights, we learn to yield and let go. Why? Because Christ loved us that way (Romans 5:8) and because we know our reward is not on this earth, but stored in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-4).

The process of "dying to self," like a seed rotting in the earth, is difficult. It feels like moving a mountain (Matthew 17:20). But for a follower of Jesus, this is not an option—it is essential (Mark 8:34). Just as God raised Christ from the dead, He also brings us to life with Him (Ephesians 2:5).

How Do We Grow?

God created us in His image. He rescues those fallen in Adam and shines the lamp of His truth upon every person. He constantly sows the seed of His Word to produce a hundredfold harvest.

God’s Word is like our breath; without it, we die. It is our food and drink. Jesus taught us to pray for our "daily bread" (Matthew 6:11) to remind us that we must consume His Word daily. To eat and drink His Word is to walk with Him. Apart from Him, we have no life (John 15:4).

God dwells within us forever (John 14:16-17). Following the example of obedience set by the Lord, we fix our eyes on Him and walk the path of faith. We do this knowing that God delights in giving us what we need (John 14:13-14).

"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8)

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do." (James 1:5-8)

Amen!

January 18, 2026

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2026, David Lee Ministries ©2026 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.