Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz, assistant professors of exegetical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 4:26-34.
Jesus’ parables make use of agricultural imagery to teach that the growth in the kingdom of God is due to His work. As a seed sprouts and grows in ways that are mysterious to the farmer, so the kingdom of God grows through the work of Jesus in His Word. He sees the time for the harvest, even when we do not. The mustard seed provides the picture of the small start of the kingdom of God that will grow, by God’s action, into a home for people from all nations. Even when our expectations are not met, Jesus encourages us to trust His work in His kingdom to do what He promises. This happens as we, like Jesus’ disciples, continue to listen to His Word, in which He explains to us who He is as our Savior.
“The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running with the very first verse of his Gospel account, and he never lets up the pace. As one deed of Jesus comes right after another, always paired with His authoritative Word, St. Mark proclaims the good news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, revealed conclusively by His death on the cross.
