Developing a Rooted Gospel (part 01)

(from March 9th, 2008)

Read - Matthew 13.1-9; 18-23 & Colossians 1.5-6, 9-12 & 2.6-7

In the scriptures Jesus often describes the kingdom to his followers in the form of a parable. Parables, for those of us that went to public school, are short allegorical stories that convey deeper spiritual truths and require a bit of thought and interpretation after hearing them. Of the many parables found throughout the scriptures, Matthew and Mark capture Jesus describing the story of a sower planting seeds. Christ explains that some seeds will grow but ultimately not all will mature. Some, he says, will be devoured by birds, others will be starved for soil and simply will not grow and some still will grow but will be hindered by weeds in the ground (Matthew 13.1-9). One, however, will find good soil and bear fruit.
Jesus clarifies the meaning of the parable for the dropouts and lead-paint babies, the seed symbolizes the gospel (“good news” or “truth” as some translate) of the kingdom and that our hearts are the soil (Matthew 13.18-23). The successful seed developed and bore fruit – multiplying a very similar seed over and over again. Even with my limited understanding of agriculture, three things pop out…

01. It takes a bit of work to make something grow
02. The condition of the soil has everything to do with the development of the seed.
03. The seed was only able to grow like this over time.

Granted, I’ve never intentionally grown anything, save the occasional mold in my car, but I’d guess if there are other things taking up too much space or sapping nutrients from the soil the seed doesn’t stand a chance. And without pulling weeds that sprout up or occasionally watering the soil, the seed simply can not grow and without growth the seed is useless. Even if we weren’t interested in multiplication, without growth of root there is virtually nothing keeping the seed in place (i.e. the second seed Jesus describes). The same goes for our understanding of the gospel and our relationship with Jesus.

When we throw around phrases and terms like being “saved” or “accepting Christ” we could say that this seed has been planted. And having taken this seed, the gospel or truth of Jesus, like the seed itself we really have a small simple understanding of what all of that means.

Example…
“Is there a God?” Yes.
“Is Jesus His son?” Yes.
“Did he die on a cross only to be resurrected three days later?” Yes.

Simple questions with simple answers, but without growth of understanding or being rooted, when storms and tribulations come things become difficult and suddenly the answers aren’t as easy or simple.

“How can Jesus be both man and God?”
“…and if there’s only one God how can he be three persons?”
“If Jesus is God’s son and God allowed him to die on the cross, isn’t that child abuse?”

The answers aren’t easy. Faith and life and worship go beyond trite, simple answers that we learned in Sunday school and sometimes we have to learn them in difficult ways. Developing our relationship with Jesus won’t be easy and it’s not going to be without its hardships.
However, it is the exact purpose of our entire being.
It takes not knowing all the answers but having the patience to wait, develop and pursue the answers with sincerity, diligent study and faith that God will guide us along the way.