He also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’ (Mark 4: 26-29)

If the kingdom of heaven – the realm of God – is as a seed, what should this tell us?

Perhaps we are being told that the realm of God is prolific. If the example of the natural world is analogous to the spiritual domain then there is a profound over-abundance.

The analogy may also suggest significant diversity of forms. Seeds range from the miniscule to the handful and from puffy fluffs to nutty knobs.

As Jesus made clear, no matter how good the seed it requires the right conditions to take root and flourish. One seed is better suited than another for a specific condition.

The seed is transformed when the right conditions exist. The change from seed to sprout can be explosive. The energy held within the seed bursts into the surrounding earth.

The seed can exist without the earth, but the seed cannot fulfill its purpose without earth, rain, and sun. Is the realm of God likewise?