The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 188

lt from being trampled by the rude, rough hoof of stray cattle, or from being ploughed up wrongfully by careless hands. Now the sower must" sleep and rise night and day." He cannot hurry the growth. This ls the time of trial, exposure, and danger. It is the needful time for Christian culture, for the gradual acquisition of strength and wisdom, and the slow building up of charo.cter. And what is true of the individual growth is true also of the great wide field which ls the world, where all good, and alas I all evil, may grow, and whose prolonged history goes on slowly towards the great harvest, "The full com in the ear" points to the matured Christian character, the trained, sub- dued, chastened spirit. Sunshine and shadow, calm and storm, darkness and light, have all passed over the field; all helpful, each in its own way, in promoting the growth, strength, and fruitfulness, alike in the less or the greater field ; and all tending towards that moment "when the fruit is ripe." Then, and not until then, "he putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come." So is it with every believer-every varied growth in the wide field; so is it with the entire history which tends towards that "harvest" which "is the end of the world." Hence from this parable, which is one long teaching, we leam the wisdom and duty: 1. Of thankfully receiving the Word into our hearts. 2. Of faithfully cherishing it. 3. Of patiently waiting for its full fruits.-G. Vers. 30-32.-The parable of the mustard seed. This parable stands related to the former. That pointed to the history of the growth of the seed; this points to the inherent vitality of the seed. That laid the emphasis on the field; this lays it on the seed. The simile is so exact that we are in danger of transgressing a needful canon in the interpretation of parables, and to treat it as a realism. The parable illustrate$ the history of the kingdom of heaven in its outward manifestation, especially the smallness of its beginning contrasted with the greatness of its results. I. THE KINGDOM OF GOD FINDS ITS APPBOPBIA.TE BYMJIOL IN A BEED WITH ITS INHERENT, VITAL, SELF-EXPANDING FORCE. This is true, whether we interpret the king- dom of God to refer to its essential principle-the dominion of the Divine Spirit over the human spirit ; or to its outward manifestation in the visible Church of God- the gospel developing itself in the heart and life of mankind; or even to its instrument -the Di vine Word. Gathering these together as all comprised in the idea of the kingdom of God, we must see it to be truly represented by a seed-a living, inherently vital power. This parable leads us to think more particularly of the outward manifestation of the kingdom of God; and wherever we see it planted we sooner or later see signs of growth and extension. One of the first sentiments stirred in the breast of the newly converted i1> a desire for the conversion of others; and the first activities evoked from the new life are found in efforts to lead others to like blessing. Each believer becomes the germ of a Church; each is a self-propagating seed. From one may sprin:; a thousand, nay, as many as the stars of heaven for multitude. So was it with the Church in the beginning-the little quickened seed in Jerusalem. So has it been in every age. To-day we joyfully witness the sign• of this vitality on every band II. A BEOOND FEATURE OF THE KINGDOM OF G-:>D IS THE EXTREME B.MALLNE8S OF ITS ORIGIN. Still thought of as an outward manifestation, how small was its beginning! How little a seed I Judging Christ's work by the greatness of its aims, how small were hie means I What books did he write? What organization did be fro.me? What cities did he build? What armies did he raise? What did ho? Estimated by out- ward signs-a more nothing. A few women and fewer men gathered; no multitude, no Church, no forms of worship, no writings. No ; no; nothing. Who.t then? Just a. living seed dropped into the warm heart. Not more than a human heart could treasure-not more than Matthew could remember. The record of a brief life, with its few words; its few noble deeds of sincerity, love, and self-denial; and its sad death and marvellous resurrection. All the kingdom of God in that one life, all the heavenly treasure in that one earthen vessel ; all in a " mustard seed, . . • less than all the seeds that are upon earth." But it grew to be "a tree." III. Thie the third feature of the parable : THE ULTDliTE EXTENSION OF THE KINGDOM OF GoD. And the point of interest seems to be it grows beyond its probable limits, "greater than all the herbs; " yea, it "putteth out great branches, becometh a uee, so that the birds of the heaven" net only" lodge under the shadow" of it, but  18-l 'l'HE GOSPEL .ACCORDING TO S'l'. MAltK. toH, IV, 1-U.