The Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29)

Many are wondering how to grow in the faith of Christ. It seems like the same yesterday and today, even farther back like last year or many years before. Why is it so? Why is everyday not like a conversion moment or some exciting conference event? Instead, why is our experience in Christian living humdrum and dull? What’s happening in our midst? God is spirit and truth. “He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:3-4) Our God is always in our midst to the fullest, keeping, caring, guiding, strengthening, protecting, leading, teaching, revealing, speaking to us in spirit and truth. What does the mature look like? What does the grownup in Christ think and act? It’s a significantly important question because knowing what the mature means leads to live such a marvelous life given as a gift through the promise of God. I think it is the full recognition and realization of the presence of God in our midst. There is no place found in heaven and on earth without God and his fullness. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5) That’s the good news of assurance for those who are in Christ the Lord. As the Son Jesus is in the Father and he in Christ, so we in him and he in us. As the Son Jesus went back to the Father God after his death and the resurrection from the dead, so he sent the Holy Spirit to us. We are in Christ and he in us now and forever. The mature shall go nearer and nearer to the Father in heaven. Our Lord Jesus reveals the secret of growth for the harvest in the parable of the growing seed.

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

The kingdom mystery is unraveled through the parables by the Lord Jesus Christ who became a man, forfeiting the rights as God. The parable of the sower explains the secret of bearing fruits, depending on the field where the word falls and is sowed. The field represents the human’s heart. Whether we respond to the word sown, the result is significantly different, bearing much fruits, or nothing. It tells that our Father in heaven has been sowing the seed in the heart of humanity since the beginning of the world. The parable of the growing seed tells the power of the seed. A man scatters the seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he gets up or sleeps, the seed grows. The seed sown in the land has the power to grow for the harvest. He can see only when the seed dies in the soil and then spouts in the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.

What does this parable tell? It tells that there is nothing involved in the growth of the seed except its own power to make the seed grow till the harvest. This power is from God himself. There is any more cause for the seed to grow to the fullness than God. Worries never help at all. Nor concerns help either. The power of growing seed has been demonstrated in the life of Jesus Christ the Lord, especially in the culmination of his earthly life, the death, the burial, and the resurrection from the dead. In fact, Jesus himself said of this principle of the growing seed in the Gospel of John Chapter 12. “Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.’” (John 12:23-25)

The secret of power that produces many seeds is two steps, first, be a complete nothingness through the death and burial and then be raised from the dead, the resurrection. The last enemy of humanity is death which swallows up everything. But even the power of death cannot get hold of the Lord Jesus Christ in the tomb. “But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” (Acts 2:24) There is no other power stronger than the power that overcomes death. Such a power is the power of the growing seed. It’s called the laws of nature, more precisely the Law of God. Obeying God is the way to experience the eternal weight of power and glory. Obedience is the prerequisite for the harvest. Our Lord Jesus obeyed the Father God even to the point of death. The grain harvest represents the glory of resurrection. No cross, no resurrection.

That is why our Lord Jesus says, “He replied, ‘Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.’” (Matthew 13:11-12) Whoever accepts and obeys the commandments of God will be given more and more. On the other hand, whoever doesn’t obey God will be taken even what they think they have.

Furthermore, the growing seed for the harvest implies the corporate growth. There is one body of Christ, the church. In the church, there are many parts, the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the teaching pastors. God gives each member of the body the gifts according to his will and purpose. “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13) The body of Christ is being built since the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. It is invisible and unseen and we don’t know how much it has been built and when it will be done. But we know that it is growing corporately all together through the power of resurrection. “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5) The church is being built on the foundation of Jesus Christ the Lord (Ephesians 3:19-22).

That is what it is and how it is, the growing church of Christ. There will be the end of construction, the harvest. “As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” (Mark 4:29) Then, there will be the great banquet prepared before the time began for the celebration of the wedding of the Lamb. “Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.’ (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)” (Revelation 19:6-8) The seed sown is the word. The word is Jesus Christ. He has already been sitting at the right hand of God, reigning all things. He has already conquered death as God raised him from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures.

Apostle Paul prays for the saints, saying “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” (Ephesians 1:18-23) We do not see how the church is growing and prepared as the pure and holy bride of the Lamb. We do not see how we are growing and fitting to be part of his church. But we do know that God who promised will do his work, molding and chiseling us up as part of the body of Christ. What we do is to trust in the Lord in all things, obeying the commandment of God, and love one another.

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me;

Still all my song shall be nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,

Darkness be over me, my rest a stone;

Yet in my dreams I'd be nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

There let the way appear steps unto heav'n;

All that Thou sendest me in mercy giv'n;

Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

Then with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,

Out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise;

So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

Or if on joyful wing, cleaving the sky,

Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upwards I fly,

Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

What we can see is whether we are different now than months or years before. Whether we are more loving, enduring, forgiving. Whether we are less panicky, afraid, scared. Whether we are more peaceable, resting, easy to live with others. That is the test we can observe ourselves.

May 22, 2018

© 2018 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.

God Wants To Save Life, Not To Kill (Mark 3:1-6)

What is the Sabbath? How can it be kept holy? How is it related with Sunday in our day? Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28). People of Israel since Moses have been bound to the Sabbath law all time and space with many other laws and statues. The Sabbath law prohibits and limits most of human activities except the critically essential ones. For example, it’s limited to walk up to the certain distance and to lift up something up to the certain weight. These hundreds and thousands of restrictions and regulations have been added in order to fulfill the laws of the Sabbath. Our Lord Jesus was accused as an offender of the Sabbath law because he healed the sick on the Sabbath. The Pharisees accused of the disciples when they picked some heads of grain, considering the act of picking the grains as an offense against the law (Mark 2:23-28). Jesus defended his disciples who were probably hungry and ate some grains and said the accusers that God didn’t punish David and his companions even when they ate the most consecrated bread displayed in the holy place. God is the God of mercy and compassion. God made the Sabbath for man, not the other way around. God is the author of the Law, undoubtedly telling that the author knows and understands the intension and purpose of giving the Law for his people. In fact, the written law through Moses came later, but the law written in heart did first. It goes back to the creation, the seventh day of God’s creation of the material universe. “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (Genesis 2:2-3) God rested on the seventh day because he had finished the work, no further work needed to be done. It doesn’t tell that God is idle and slumber doing nothing since the creation done. Rather, the work which is needed for the salvation and restoration of humanity and universe has been finished. What he has done has been done and no one can change.  

“Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, ‘Stand up in front of everyone.’ Then Jesus asked them, ‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.” (Mark 3:1-6)

Despite of carefully being watched by the religious leaders, our Lord Jesus ought to continue healing the sick. Why doesn’t Jesus choose other days to heal the sick, avoiding the confrontation showdown with the religious power and authority? It’s because Jesus is the Lord of all. Nothing was made that has been made without Jesus Christ the Lord. Humanity is what it is and why it is and how it is not because of the civilizations but because of the Lord Jesus. Without him, mankind is not what it is and why it is. Because of him, man is. Healing the sick is like an acting parable which reveals the secret of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus demonstrates what ought to be done all time and space, telling the truth and doing according to what he says. In fact, our Lord Jesus has been obeying the Father in heaven in doing all things even before the creation of the world. He obeyed the Father even to the point of death. Nothing could change his mind if it is to do the will of the Father, even the death on a cross. It was going on and on not only in his earthly time and space, but all throughout time in history. Our Lord Jesus is still healing and restoring the sick through his disciples whom he has sent out in the midst. There are thousands and tens of thousands of people who are touched and healed and restored when the Father God in heaven reaches out through the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

What does this healing of the man with a shriveled hand tell? First of all, it tells humanity is in need like this man who is in need of healing of his shriveled hand. He is physically disabled and in many ways disadvantaged and handicapped in managing and handling the routine of his lives. Many times, he might have to get help from others. Not only physically disabled he is, but also psychologically shriveled he must be. He cannot try something as others can. Often, just as in this incident, he cannot but becoming a victim of disgrace and humiliation. The Pharisees take an advantage of this poor man in order to accuse Jesus. Probably, he is just wanting to remain in the shade and listen to the voice of Jesus who is so kind and merciful to the poor and needy and possibly the source of his strength. He might have been hoping for the healing of his own shriveled hand. Physical disability has the spiritual counterpart. As his hand is shriveled, so is his heart. He is in need of straightening up the relationship with God as all humanity is. That’s why the Lord Jesus tells him to stand up in front of everyone. Most likely, he is in want of remaining in the shade without being exposed as much as he can. Humanity is lost and fallen and yet doesn’t want to expose the wound and guilt ever. That’s the nature of sin. If possible, we don’t want to admit our guilt and shame. Rather, we want to hide them to the tomb. Indeed, all humanity is like this man with a shriveled hand, so is in need of straightening up with God. As our Lord Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount, there is only kind of mankind, that is the poor in spirit. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) To God’s eyes, all is poor and in need of healing and restoration.

Most importantly, this story tells God is compassionate and merciful and appealing humanity to put trust in him. God wants to save all people, all kinds of people (1 Timothy 2:4). He doesn’t want anyone to perish and receive the judgment. He wants to save, not to kill. He loves, gives, and loves and gives more and to the full. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) He waits, endures, embraces the lost ones to come in and take a feast of love he is offering. He welcomes the prodigal son wholeheartedly and throws a lavish welcome home party, butchering a fattened calf and wearing the robe and sandal and ring as his beloved son who has returned home. God takes risks by allowing the son to go far away from home, hoping that he may remember the abundance and love and kindness of the Father. Though the son squandered and wasted money and time and life, since he has come home as he is, the Father welcomes and delights the return of the lost son. Our God is such a kind of God that he welcomes anyone, whoever only if they repent and return to him, the God of glory and righteousness.

“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:20-24)

There is another parable which tells how much God wants to find the lost ones and to bring them in his safe and secure home. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:4-7) Jesus came into the world in the form of a servant, emptying himself and not taking the honor, glory, power, and authority of his own, in order to find a lost one like the man with a shriveled hand and many who accept they are lost and fallen.

It also tells Jesus is the way to the Father. Jesus tells this man to stand up in front of everyone, being exposed his weaknesses in public. The Lord Jesus took up our infirmities and trespasses, putting up all shame and guilt upon himself on our behalf. Prophet Isaiah prophesied long before the suffering of Christ. “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pains and bore our sufferings, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:3-6) What we cannot do has been done by our Lord Jesus Christ who paid all the sin of the world with his own death and blood. He himself was hung upon the tree, taking all shame, guilt, pain, curse and judgment on our behalf. He did not come down from the tree, paying the full ransom price for the sin of the world. Why did he do that? Because it is the way to the Father, the only way. God honors the Son and his blood, so anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. The man with a shriveled hand expresses his faith in the Son Jesus by listening and obeying the word, “Stretch out your hand.” Apostle Peter says so pertinently and effectively to those who are crying out while listening to what he is saying on the Day of Pentecost, “What shall we do?”

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah. When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’” (Acts 2:36-39)  

Our God is listening to every hungering and thirsty cry of “What shall we do?” even now and forevermore. He is opening his eyes and ears wide to search for anyone who is groaningly crying out for help. As soon as he hears, he is all in, helping and curing and healing and restoring in the blood of Christ Jesus. It may take a while in time and space, because God knows what is good and perfect. Rest and have peace in him. That's keeping the law of the Sabbath holy. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ! God be the glory of all!

May 4, 2018

© 2018 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.