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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
and the little knowledge of which they had boasted when they declared
that they had no need of Christ, and scorned the guidance of Him who
left a throne in Heaven to save them.
Following the thread of his discourse, the Divine Teacher uses
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another parable, saying, “So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should
cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and
the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth
bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the
full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he
teth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” The seed here spoken
of is the word of God sown in the heart and made fruitful by divine
grace. If the truth takes root in the heart, it will sooner or later spring
into life and bear fruit. The life and character will show the nature
and quantity of the seed sown. But the work of cultivating is the work
of a life-time. The principles of truth once planted in the soul, are
to be carried out in the daily duties of life. The growth of Christian
character is gradual—like the advancement of the natural plant through
its various stages of development. But nevertheless the progress is
continual. As in nature, so it is in grace, the plant must either grow or
die.
Day by day the sanctifying influence of the Spirit of God almost
imperceptibly leads those who love the ways of truth toward the per-
fection of righteousness, till finally the soul is ripe for the harvest, the
life-work is ended, God gathers in his grain. There is no period in the
Christian life when there is no more to learn, no higher attainments to
reach. Sanctification is the work of a life-time. First the blade, then
the ear, then the full corn in the ear, then the ripening and the harvest;
for when the fruit is perfect, it is ready for the sickle.
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This figure presented a most marked contrast to the condition of the
Jews. Their religion was cold and formal, the Holy Spirit had no place
in their hearts; therefore, instead of growing in grace, and advancing in
the knowledge of God, they were continually becoming more callous
and bigoted, retreating farther and farther from the presence of the
Lord. The proud, caviling Pharisees looked around upon the vast
numbers gathered to hear Jesus, and noted contemptuously how few
there were who acknowledged him as the Messiah. There were many
educated and influential men who had come to hear the prophet whose
fame had spread far and near. Some of these looked with curious