Curtis's Blog

Mark’s writings tend to be to the point.  The book itself is the shortest among the gospels.  And while not one of the twelve disciples himself, Mark offers some valuable insight into the life of Christ including this little gem of a passage, recorded only in the gospel of Mark.

After the parable of the sower and the telling of its meaning to his disciples, Jesus goes on to further explain what the kingdom of God is like.

²⁶ He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. ²⁷ Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. ²⁸ All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. ²⁹ As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”   (Mark 4:26-29)

As we learned earlier in the chapter, the seed is the Word of God.  When it’s spread on the path, rocks, or among thorns it produces no fruit.  But when it is spread on the good soil it produces a crop that can be a hundred times what was sown.  The passage teaches how the word will be received.  Verses 26-29, however, teaches the power of word, and consequently the importance we have to sow it.

The symbolism between sowing and reaping is used repeatedly in the Bible.  The idea of planting a seed and producing a crop is an elementary truth.  In other words, you don’t have to be a farmer to understand it.  Even a small seed can lead to a large crop (The parable of the mustard seed is only a few verses away).   The key, though, is that it needs planted!

There is power in the word of God, power to start small and grow into a large harvest.  When we share God’s word we are planting a seed.  That seed has the power to sprout and grow entirely on its own.  Sure, it’s a good idea to make sure the seed doesn’t get snatched up by the birds, or to make sure the seed is properly rooted, or that it doesn’t have to grow up among thorns.  But, ultimately, when it comes to actually growing the seed does it on its own.

The same is true with the word.  We are called to make disciples, and we’re to do that by sharing God’s word… by sowing.  We sow the seed, and God’s word will do the rest.

In the book of Matthew, Jesus says what appears to be two very opposing statements:

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.” (5:9)

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (10:34)

So how can Jesus, on one hand say that those who promote peace are blessed, while he himself did not come to bring peace? It’s actually pretty simple. On more than one instance, the beatitudes reveal God’s will for how we should act is a peaceful one:

“…anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement” (5:22)

“…if someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (5:39)

“…Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you .” (5:44)

Remember the second greatest commandment, ” Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). How can we say we love our neighbor if we are angry with him? How can we say we love our neighbor if we retaliate against him? And how can we say that we love our neighbor if we hate him? Later on in Matthew 7, Jesus warns us to aware of false prophets. He tells us that we will know them by their fruit. In the same manner, God wants us to be identified by our fruit. Galatians 5 identifies the fruit of the Spirit. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, [oh and] PEACE…” (Dramatic emphasis added to make my point. )

It’s clear that God wants us to live in peace. So in Matthew 10 when Jesus says “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth…” he must not have been talking about our attitudes. He must have been talking about something else.

Certainly Jesus knew that his ministry was going to be short, and during this sendoff with his disciples, he certainly didn’t want to give them the wrong idea– the idea that he came to bring peace and happiness to the world. He was preparing them for battle, a spiritual war that began in the garden of Eden. He knew that the message they would deliver would bring ridicule and persecution. It would cause children to rebel against their parents, and for households to be split in disagreement. “I am sending you like sheep among wolves. ” (Matthew 10:16)

I think Paul summed it up best. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18) Paul acknowledges that it won’t always be possible to live at peace with everyone. It takes two people in a relationship to be in agreement to have true peace. However, in all relationships, we’re to do our part.

Remember, we’re in the middle of a spiritual battle, and conflict, unfortunately, is the inevitable result of the message that Jesus Christ brings. And, Jesus acknowledges that in Matthew 10. However, at the same time, his message of living at peace is clear, and the fruit of peace should be evident in our lives.