Faith’s Crop Mark 4:30-34
I want to look at the second half of this reading first. Verse 35, “With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.”
We’ve learned before that Jesus spoke in parables so those that had a heart for God would understand, but those that were hardened to the message of faith and grace that Jesus brought, they would not understand, and they would drift away. Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Those who Jesus encountered who truly wanted God, they would understand. But as scripture says, they would understand “as much as they could understand.” The parables were Jesus’ way to stimulate thought and contemplation. Everyone may not understand everything, but the seed has been planted.
Verse 34, “But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.” As the twelve apostles, those who are closest to Jesus and hearing all he says in public and in private, why do they need the messages explained? Why don’t they understand? At first I thought it might be because the disciples were mostly fisherman, and a lot of the parables revolve around planting and harvesting. What would be obvious to the farmers in the crowd, may have been harder to grasp for the fisherman. But as I thought about it more, I saw the disciples are us. Those original twelve show us that no matter how close we are to Jesus, no matter how much we read and study the Word, we can still be confused by it. We may not understand what the meaning of a passage really is. But we have a benefit they did not, we have the written scripture readily available to us. If you are unsure of something, look up other passages that deal with the same subject and a clearer picture will emerge.
Now, in the beginning of our passage Jesus tells us the kingdom of God, “…is like a mustard seed…” (Mark4:31)
I believe we are all born with an innate notion of a presence greater than ourselves. And scripture tells us that faith in that power, trust in that power, reliance on that power, is something that needs to be planted in our psyche. For many of us this begins with our families. But today, as more and more stop bringing their children to church, it is even more important that as the faithful, we demonstrate God by our actions and our willingness to mention and talk about our faith.
Today Jesus tells us our faith is a seed planted within us. And all of us know a seed does not grow just sitting on a rock, it needs soil, sun, and water. And whether you’re a farmer or just growing flowers in your home garden, you have no power over these elements, you cannot make the plant grow. But you can stop it from growing. If you keep a plant in shade, if you fail to water it, the seed will not germinate.
We all have the seed God planted in us. And if we let it, it will grow into a deep and trusting faith. But there are so many things we encounter that can prevent that growth. Newspapers, TV, internet, advertisements; all these things and more bombard us. We are encouraged to seek better cars, bigger homes, exotic vacations. They tease our senses and our desires to want that showy thing now. They stifle the mature learning and patience that promotes faith.
How about all the self-help books? Books and articles that tell us we’re not good enough husbands, not good enough wives, not good enough parents. These thoughts curb our approach to God; if I’m not good enough for my spouse or child, how can I be good enough for God.
Maybe I need to take some blame too. I tell us we need to grow and try to live better Christian lives. Do I make you feel you’re not good enough, not a good enough Christian? That is not my intent. We are not perfect. I am far from perfect. But no matter what any of us have done, wo matter who any of us are, you are good enough for God. We are, just as we are, good enough to be loved and forgiven by Christ.
As I read this and looked at some of Jesus’ other parables, I think he uses plants often to describe faith because they are a demonstration of how faith evolves in most of us. Plants grow, bloom, provide food and beauty. And then the season changes and leaves drop. The plants become dormant. But in time, they bloom again. Our faith can be like this. During some parts of our lives it is in full bloom, on full display, nurturing ourselves and others. But then the season of our life changes, maybe a divorce or a death. In these times our faith can recede, almost go dormant. But like the plant waiting for winter to change to summer, our faith will rebloom.
In the Old Testament Moses met God on a mountain. In the New Testament, Jesus was transfigured on a mountain. God is represented by the mountain; solid, unmovable, mighty and strong against the wind and rain. Humanity is represented by the plant; our faith flowers and wanes as the seasons of our lives change. Granted, the scope of that swing is different for each of us, but I believe each of us feel closer to God and farther away from him at different times in our lives.
And this brings me to verse 31; “It is like a mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds on earth”
That mustard seed has the potential to grow into a great plant. One which provides shade, shelter, and food. The seed of faith, no matter how small that faith may start, can be seen by God for the great potential it has.
Verse 32, “Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that birds can perch in the shade.”
The tiniest flicker of faith can grow into a conviction that will provide safety for others in the way we work past our prejudices. That tiny flicker of faith can grow into the allegiance that provides shade for others by how we interact with them with respect and compassion. It can keep the harsh light of oppression off others. That first flicker of faith can nourish others physically as we tend to their needs, and spiritually as we help others see Christ and grow in their own faith.
Faith, no matter how small it is now, can, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and our attention, grow into something so big and bright, others will see it, and take shelter and nourishment from it. Tend your garden. Nurture your seed. And grow into that mighty tree of faith God intends you to be.
Amen