The Sower (Jesus) spread his seeds as he sowed, just as Jesus offered the K.o.G. to everyone. The seeds that fell onto the path did not grow – these seeds represent the people who choose not to listen. The seeds which fell onto the rocky ground sprouted, but the little soil meant that they soon dried up in the hot sun. These seeds represent those who listen, but the message does not sink in, and is soon forgotten. A few seeds fall among a patch of thorny bushes; these seeds grow too, but are choked by the brambles as they start to grow tall. These people listen and follow, but the pressures of life build and they soon realise they have no time for God. But there are many other people – like the seeds which fall onto good soil, grow tall and bear fruit – who hear Jesus’ words and act upon them. These people bring God fully into their lives, undoubtedly, some more than others. This parable shows how the Kingdom of God is available to everyone, as long as they are prepared to respond in an appropriate way to Jesus’ teachings.
The “Parable of the Lamp under a Bowl”, Ch. 4 V. 21-23, has a shorter, and simpler, meaning. Jesus questions his audience;
“Does anyone ever bring in a lamp and put it under a bowl or under the bed? Doesn’t he put it on the lamp stand?” Ch. 4 V.21
His message; don’t hide your faith. Do as the lamp does, spread light, spread your faith.
The “Parable of the Measure”, Ch. 4 V. 24-25, isn’t so much a parable, more of a direct teaching point. Jesus explains;
“Pay attention to what you hear! The same rules you use to judge others will be used by God to judge you – but with even greater severity.” Ch. 1 V. 24
He is basically saying ‘treat as you wish to be treated, or suffer the consequences of a harsh judgement by God’.
The “Parable of the Growing Seed”, Ch. 4 V. 26-29, has a slightly deeper meaning than the previous two parables. Jesus explains how a farmer scatters seed in his field, then as he sleeps, works and goes about his day, all the while the seed is sprouting and growing – he can’t explain it, it just happens. As does human faith, nobody knows how, or even why faith develops. It can’t be forced on people, but can be helped by being an active part of the church community. Just as some seeds grow, others don’t. Jesus can preach, but there is no guarantee listeners will develop faith.
The final parable of Ch. 4 attempts to explain what the K.o.G. is like. The “Parable of the Mustard Seed”, Ch. 4 V. 30-34, likens the K.o.G. to mustard seed, the smallest seeds in the world, which has been planted in the ground. After a while, the smallest seed grows into the largest plant, offering comfort and shelter so that birds may come and make nests. The one seed represents Jesus, and the tree that from this seed, Christian faith. Just as the tree gives shelter, so does the community of believers; the Church.
Having looked at the parables and the messages they give we need to recognise that there is a difference between a short simple story – parable – which gives a single teaching point about the Kingdom of God, and the much more involved example of the allegory. “The Tenants in the Vineyard” is an allegory from Mark’s Gospel. A man plants a vineyard and lets it out to tenants. When the time came to gather the grapes, he sent a slave to gather his share of the crop from the tenants. But the tenants seized the slave, beat him and sent him home with nothing. The owner sends another 2 slaves but they fail to return, so he sends his own son, sure they will respect his son. But the tenants seize his son too, and kill him. Then the owner of the vineyard goes along to see why his people aren’t returning. He sees what has happened, kills the tenants and hands the vineyard over to others. The owner of the vineyard represents God, and the vineyard, Israel. The slaves sent by the owner represent the previous Kings and Prophets sent by God. The tenants represent Jewish Leaders and the owner’s son represents Jesus, and his crucifixion is represented by the tenants killing him. The owner handing over the vineyard to others shows us God made the Kingdom of God available to everyone, including gentiles.
This is really making a comment about the relationship between God and the Jews. Every point/stage of the story has a point of comparison to the real life experience of the Jews – in rejecting Jesus they have turned their backs on God so the final message is that the word will now be preached to everyone and all who respond will be able to enter the Kingdom of God.
We now need to consider why Jesus taught in this style. There are a few simple reasons – the stories are easy to listen to and easy to remember, as well as being related to their everyday lives (seeds, lamps, etc.). Those listeners who were thinkers could read deeper into the stories; work out more meaning from some of the messages. This form of teaching worked on my levels. Also, parables could be directed at individuals, such as Jewish Leaders, Pharisees, etc. We know the Jewish leaders reacted angrily to his teaching and made plans to kill him – they obviously understood the message.
“This earth will never be God’s Kingdom.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion showing that you have considered another point of view. Your answer should refer to Mark’s Gospel.
To bring this discussion up to date, we need to consider whether there is any evidence showing us Jesus’ teaching was acted upon and if it has had any effect on the world we live in. It is probably easier to take into consideration all of the bad things in the world today, and use these examples to say that pain, suffering, greed and wanton destruction is all around us and that there is little evidence that we are part of God’s Kingdom. One example, we can look at is the World Wide Drug Culture.
Everyday, people are making £millions through the import and export of illegal drugs and narcotics. The people involved range from highly dangerous, narco-terrorist groups to well educated, “new age” businessmen and people who are out to make easy money. These substances are then sold on street corners and in back alleys, either for recreational use, or to feed an addiction.
All of this corrupt behaviour leads us to question the possibility of God’s Kingdom on earth. Even more so, when we take into account the growing lack of respect for human life, evident when we look through this morning’s newspaper, and read of America’s latest worry; the Washington Sniper. So far, a skilled shooter has taken the lives of seven innocent civilians - including that of a teenage boy - each with a single, silenced bullet shot from long distance. All attacks are believed to have unprovoked; evidence of ruthless terrorism sweeping the globe.
Despite the large amount of evidence supporting the darker side of life, there is plenty of good in the world, and because of this we have faith. We need to remember that throughout the parables – in particular the Sower, the seed growing secretly, etc. – we are told that the kingdom is available and it is up to us to make the appropriate response. The incidents looked at which seem to indicate that there is no evidence of the kingdom here on earth could simply be the actions of those who fail to respond to God’s message. For example, churches still flourish and new ones are being built everyday due to the demand for them alongside new developments such as housing estates, etc. People want a place to worship and a place to provide a focal point from which to develop their work within the local, and wider, communities – the mustard seed continues to grow, spreading its branches across the world in acts of love and kindness and establishing the Kingdom. Despite all negative behaviour; people still have faith, and still follow God.
Many people take part in voluntary work – whether it involves something as simple as helping out at their local charity shop, or for the more adventurous, travelling to a Third World country and working, either with the sick or helping to deliver food/nourishment, etc. Such people who involve themselves in this type of work could be seen to be following the instructions given in “A Lamp under a Bowl” – to ‘be seen’ as Christians; spreading the light of faith.
Today’s world can be seen to be not too far removed from the world in which Jesus first preached the Kingdom. All are still called to respond to his message but only some respond, and then to varying degrees. Those who do respond must accept the responsibility to continue establishing the Kingdom and allow it flourish here on earth.
Jonathan Greenwood
