I hope you are growing in your faith. Today, we’re reading Mark chapters 3 and 4. These chapters are rich with theology, parables, and personal challenges. They remind me of my early days in the faith, especially a sermon I once heard on Mark 4:35–41, where Jesus calms the storm. That message stuck with me, and I’ve preached it many times since.

The Parable of the Sower is another familiar passage (v 4:1-8), often taught because it’s vivid and accessible. But today, I want to take you deeper—into the lesser-known Parable of the Growing Seed and the mindset that helps us grow in Christ.

Growth Mindset and Spiritual Soil
You often hear people talk about having a “growth mindset,” especially at work. Coaches and bosses hand out books and host seminars on how to develop it. Here’s the gist: those who don’t advance, retreat. But while this pursuit of knowledge is valuable, it can also become an idol if we’re not careful.

Jesus teaches in Mark 4:26–29 that the Kingdom of God is like a man scattering seed. He sleeps and rises, and the seed grows—“though he does not know how.” This parable reminds us we plant, but God gives the growth.

This truth is humbling. We want to control the outcome. We want to see results. My pastor once said he enjoys mowing the lawn—because when he’s done, he can see the finished product. But with the Gospel, we may never know the impact.

Planting and Waiting
Sometimes, years later, we see someone living for Jesus and wonder if our words played a role. Maybe they heard the Gospel elsewhere. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that they are now our brother or sister in Christ. (v 3:35)

Like gardening, we plant seeds and wait. I’ve grown corn since I was a teenager. There’s nothing like eating an ear of corn straight from the stalk, boiled and served immediately. Grocery store corn just doesn’t compare. You plant several seeds in each hill, but not all grow. You don’t control which one’s take root.

Head Knowledge vs. Heart Soil
We can encourage people to study the Word, do research, and learn. These are noble traits. But head knowledge alone isn’t good soil. For the Word to grow, it must land in a heart prepared by God. That’s when faith flourishes.

This kind of faith endures trials. It survives storms. Which brings us back to the boat in Mark 4:35–41. The disciples panicked. We do too. When life overwhelms me, I drop to my knees and ask, “Why is this happening?” Jesus asked them, “Where is your faith?” I hear that question in my heart.

Faith in the Storm
But instead of faulting the disciples, I admire their response. They went to Jesus (v 4:38). That’s how Christians get stronger: when we’re afraid, we look to God.

Faith means trusting someone who can help. You wouldn’t ask me to change the weather—I can’t. But Jesus can. That’s why we must answer the question posed in Mark 4:41: “Who is this?”

Who Is Jesus—To You?
C.S. Lewis said that Jesus is Lord, a liar, or a lunatic (1) If He said the things He said and wasn’t God, He was deluded or worse. But if He is God—and He rose again—then He is Lord. He can’t be both.

So we must decide: not who Jesus was, as if He’s just a historical figure, but who is Jesus—to you? Is He your Lord? Do you live like He is?
Tomorrow, we will read Mark 5-6.

Footnotes

C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: HarperOne, 2001), 52.