Lectionary readings: Psalm 92 Ezekiel 17:22-24 2 Corinthians 5:6-17 Mark 4:26-34
We hear a great deal about ‘building back better’ these days, and even that great repository of knowledge, Wikipedia, has an article on the subject (and no mention of the British PM). It’s all about reducing risk and increasing resilience. It sounds really good, and I am still reflecting on what church ought to look like as we begin to move out of lock-down. At some levels we do need to make changes – many of which are long-overdue. But I can’t find much about reducing risk in the gospels. Following Jesus, and helping to build the kingdom of God is risky business, highlighted by the reading from Mark 4:26-34. We are invited to turn our lives around and to believe; and implicit in believing is more than just intellectual assent, it encourages active involvement. And I notice that the invitation is in the present tense so we are continually encouraged to review and respond.
Rural communities have a precious gift unknown in major conurbations, and that is that life is task-focussed and not time-driven. It is partly bound up in life-style, after all if you are planting things, then you can do little but sit back and wait for the crop to appear in its own good time. It’s a good metaphor for Christian faith: we must trust that what we do in God’s name will produce results in God’s good time, and letting go, because we must learn the hard lesson that it is God who controls and not us. When you put those two together, you can only work like the farmer in the parable who has scattered seed and waits for it to grow.
One of my church buildings is just under two hundred years old, and in fairly good shape. I feel a party coming on, so I think we should start planning now! But I really mention this because as I reflect on it, someone had the vision and the faith and the patience to understand that the laying of the first stone was just a small step along the way to an unseen harvest. Both little parables here speak of growth. Well, part of being alive indicates that growth is taking place. And even for those who think they haven’t grown since childhood, cells are forever being replenished and grow within us, mostly unnoticed.
Because of modern science we understand a great deal about the germination of the seed. But for the first century farmer what took place between sowing and the shoots appearing was largely one of life’s mysteries (verse 26). All they could do was trust that the crop would come. It was thought that the seed was asleep in the ground until it began to sprout at the appropriate time, when it is said to ‘get up’. In terms of this understanding, the farmer broadcast the seed and waited, because the seed did the rest itself, until harvest time when the farmer’s skill was required once more. In other words, when it is tempting to think that little is happening, that we see precious few signs of new growth in the churches, we may not be seeing the whole picture. But don’t sit back and fall asleep for the harvest will come, and workers need to be ready. Quiet germination is actually so important to life and growth, and if nothing else, lock-down has afforded us time of reflection on what we are doing and how we are doing it.
At the end of the parable Jesus used another seemingly innocuous image: ‘In goes the sickle at once, because the harvest has arrived’. It is probably a quote from Joel 3:13; a book which is a prophecy about the coming Day of the Lord; spelling out judgment and terrible devastation on God’s people before the time of restoration when God will pour out the Spirit upon them. Many of Jesus’ contemporaries were waiting for the Day of the Lord with its judgment against their oppressors, but what Jesus has in mind is not likely to match their expectations! Jesus is not about to establish a new geographic kingdom, or overturn the Romans and reinstate the political empire of the Davidic Kingdom. Instead he is talking about the reign of God, where citizens of every language and ethnicity, are drawn together by the grace and mercy of God.
But look carefully. The Greek word to awaken, to rouse, can also be applied to someone who has been restored from illness, to be raised up. In this sense it is also used of resurrection:
The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12: 23f
So you could argue that the good news is that the good news of the reign of God begins with one who seemingly ‘failed’ according to the standards of world success, died before his time in ignominy and shame. But by bursting from the grave comes as the first fruits of a mighty harvest, which has grown and spread throughout the last two thousand years.
Given the current decline in church membership and the media pre-occupation with secularism, you may well ask, is it worth? Perhaps it is time to consider increasing resilience. In terms of Scripture, it is simply a reminder to be faithful and to be part of growth – even when there doesn’t seem to be much happening. Because at its heart, this parable at its heart says to us, ‘don’t worry what things look like, this is about the good news of Jesus and God’s reign will prevail!’
Jesus began the second parable with the words ‘What shall we say God’s kingdom is like?’ This parable is best understood in the light of Isaiah 40 to whom then will you liken God? (40:18). Written during the Exile when the people were from home in a strange land, it is about the God who rescues and restores a people devastated and left powerless. And it was written about what God was about to do for the people. Here lies the secret, it isn’t about our resilience, but about what God intends to do. (Have a look at Ezekiel 17) The beginnings of the kingdom of God with a handful of people around a Jewish teacher may not have looked promising, any more than a tiny mustard seed looks promising. But these ancient parables are about a fresh vision of God. There is just one small warning about visions in scripture: believing is an active involvement in the project and for both ancient prophets and new followers of Jesus, it is always risky!
So here’s a story to ponder, which as a former teacher always brings me great joy:
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing politics, economics and life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education: ‘What can a child learn from someone who decided the best option in life was to become a teacher? You know what they say about teachers: Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.’ To emphasize his point he turned to the only teacher present; ‘As a teacher. Be honest. What do you make?’
The teacher was quick to reply ‘I make children work harder than they ever thought they could. I make them wonder. I make them question. I make my classroom a place where my students feel safe. I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life. You want to know what I make? I make a difference!’
Vision, faith, patience all form part of an ability to make a difference, as do risk-taking and being actively involved in the work of God. What you are involved in at present may not look any more interesting than a bare, ploughed field. But without the ploughing and planting there can never the opportunity for the seeds the germinate and provide a harvest.
Worship at home 