I noticed the 2026 theme for the Pennsylvania Farm Show was “Growing A Nation.” While I’m not an expert in farming, I believe the theme revolves around cultivating the produce that sustains a nation. My understanding of the process involves testing the soil for nutrients, fertilizing it if necessary, planting seeds, providing adequate water and warmth, and ensuring sufficient light as the plants grow. Weeding, controlling pests, and monitoring the plants’ growth are also crucial steps. Finally, the harvest is the culmination of all these efforts.
From a Biblical and theological perspective, I see a parallel between the farmer’s work in economically growing a nation with good food, drink, and other products; and the church’s mission of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.
· Providing nutrients: Just as the land must be prepared to receive the seed, the gospel must be prepared to be received by the hearts of people. This preparation begins with prayer, as emphasized in I Timothy 2:1, “I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.”
· Sowing the seed: In Jesus’ parable of the Sower, found in each of the synoptic gospels, the seed is described as the “word of God” or the “word of the kingdom.” Jesus explains that the response to the word of God depends on the condition of the heart, which determines how the seed is received and its impact on growth. Therefore, prayer precedes the sowing of the seed.
· Watering: In the fourth chapter of John, Jesus asked for a drink, but the woman at the well indicated He had nothing to draw the water with. Jesus assured her that He had living water to give that would spring forth into everlasting life. In the seventh chapter of John, Jesus’ spoke of the Holy Spirit being the living water that he gives. The Holy Spirit guides us to all truth, and the presence of the Spirit of God is essential for the growth of the seed, the word of God, within our lives, communities, and nations.
· Light: In the eighth chapter of John, Jesus proclaimed that He is the light of the world. By following Him, individuals would no longer be walk in darkness. Paul’s prayer for the church at Ephesus was, "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints (Eph. 1:17-18)."
· Growth: Ministry gifts are given by God that we "may grow up into Him in all things (Eph. 4:15);" as well as, that we may ..."grow in Grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ (II Peter 3:18)."
· Maturity: The Apostle Paul told the church at Philippi (Phil. 3:12-14) "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect..." He was still in the state of growing in the knowledge of the Lord. In this life, we are constantly growing. "but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Oh, to press toward the goal of the prize which is Christ Jesus!
· Harvest: When I think of the time of the harvest, I consider the parable of the wheat and the tares found in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. Matthew 13:24-25 “The Kingdom of Heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.” This parable illustrates the distinction between the righteous and the wicked. Both the good seed and the tares is either of God or the devil. At the time of the harvest, the righteous are reaped and brought into the kingdom of their Father, while the tares are thrown into the fire. The righteous, having been made righteous in Christ, shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father, symbolizing their radiant spiritual light and their unwavering faith.
Prayer and spreading the gospel of the kingdom, along with sharing God's word, are ways to express God's love to a nation. These actions help foster growth in love and service within God's kingdom for the entire nation.