Pastor Tom Johnson, June 13, 2021
What great timing to talk about Jesus’ parables of the Kingdom—how it is planted, how it grows, and how it flourishes. Today is the first Sunday of no restrictions on the number of worshipers. We are just a week away from the official beginning of summer. There is relief and a renewed sense of hope.
Jesus says the Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. That is nothing special. All farmers do that. They sow seed with the expectation that it will grow. What makes this farmer unique is that he goes to sleep and wakes up each day—not just noticing the growth but—being in wonder of growth. He does not know how—even after generations, his own experience year to year, and now day by day. He witnesses seed sprout roots, stems, leaves, grow tall and broad, and then yield grain and bear fruit. Even though he has seen it over and over again, he has not lost his sense of wonder. That is what the Kingdom is like.
Jesus says the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, the smallest seed many people of Jesus’ day were acquainted with. And yet, when planted, it grows into one of the largest plants in the garden. It is large enough for birds to find their home, their shelter from the sun, predators, and a place to raise their young. On the surface of things, our expectation of such a small seed should match its size. A small seed should yield a small plant. But it does not. It defies our expectations. It turns our understanding of one little part of the world upside down. That is what the Kingdom is like.
God extends his reign to us and to the world. We get to participate in his work. It is a privilege. It is a joy. And it is wonderful—full of wonder. The universal, worldwide Church sows the seed of God’s Word generation after generation for 2,000 years, First Saint Paul’s for 175 years, year after year, day after day. Each season and each day it grows and bears fruit. The wise and faithful farmers lay themselves down to sleep pondering the miracle of Kingdom growth. Worshipful and prayerful sowers wake up and begin the day with a joyful spring in the their step and the marvels of God on their mind.
In dozens of psalms, hymns, and songs in Scripture, the mystery and wonder of God’s creation is celebrated. His work in creation and through us is the fuel of worship, praise, and thanksgiving. As the psalmist says in Psalm 72 (v. 18), “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.” In the book of Job, the prophet (Elihu) charges the other prophet (Job): “Stop and consider the wondrous works of God.” So Jesus, in helping us to understand the Kingdom, tells us to pause, take some time to ponder how the natural world can teach us something about the spiritual realm.
Maybe that is why so many have grown bored with the Christian faith. Perhaps that is why many do not appreciate the artistry and fascination of creation and the One who made heaven and earth. Even we who believe do not faithfully appreciate nor communicate wonder. The lack of wonder will slowly kill our joy and curiosity. It is foolishness to think that we can explain and understand everything Jesus says or what is written in Scripture. We risk swelling up with pride and arrogance if we think we have an answer for everything. It may seem counterintuitive, but saying “I don’t know” actually may give us more credibility. I have more faith in medical doctors who know their discipline so well that they understand the limitations of what they know for certain. They are still learning, growing, and perfecting their craft.
So we as the people should be like that farmer who prayerfully lays himself down to sleep and gets up each morning with a sense of wonder—wonder of God’s creation and wonder of what God is doing through him. Even Mary, the mother of our Lord, who was visited by the angel Gabriel and given words of promise directly from God—even she asked, “How can these things be.” For the remainder of her life, she pondered and treasured in her heart all the promises, acts, and unfolding life of her son, Jesus. Today feels like a return to pre-pandemic normalcy. But we should want something even better—even more marvelous in our eyes. How about a new normal? Jesus himself says, “Look, I make all things new.”
In the last year, I learned what a peony is—it’s a wonder-full plant. It grows tall and narrow in early spring. It’s nectar coats the outside of the flower bud before it blossoms. Ants eat the nectar and protect the plant from destructive insects. It’s a marvelous, symbiotic relationship. Several weeks ago, I took a picture of one of the peonies in front of the church. It was a Thursday afternoon. The bud had grown to about the size of a large marble. It was green all around except the top where it was a deep red. I came back the next day, and in place of this bud, bloomed a very large, red flower. It was like an explosion of flower-pedal fireworks. A woman walked by with her dog. She shared my joy and wonder. She said, “That is what peonies do. When they decide to bloom they just do it overnight.” She went on, “I take pictures of the church’s garden every day and send them to my daughter. My daughter is very sick. But these flowers lift her spirit every day.” That is what the Kingdom is like. That is how God reigns.
On what has now been sown
Thy blessing, Lord, bestow;
The pow’r is Thine alone
To make it sprout and grow.
Do Thou in grace the harvest raise,
And Thou alone shalt have the praise!
(“On What Has Now Been Sown” LSB 921, v. 1)
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