Watering the Right Plant
Read Mark 12:1-12
I can’t garden. I have tried. Every time I have bought a beautiful plant or flower and tried to keep it alive, it doesn’t make it more than one season. I am lucky there are a few plants that only need water once a week, and that is the only plant I have been able to keep alive because I can remember to water it once and keep it near some sunlight. While the plant isn’t ugly, it is just a vine with leaves. The text you just read isn’t about gardening and planting. I can relate that the fruit is terrible, but there is far more to unpack here. The vineyard imagery would have been familiar to Israel and the Jewish leaders. Isaiah’s message (Isaiah 5:1-7) would have come to their minds as they heard Jesus speak this parable.
As they heard it, they (Jewish leaders) knew that Jesus was calling them out. This parable isn’t calling out all those who have Jewish faith. It’s calling out those who put their status and position over the kingdom and God’s direction. The tenants (farmers) are illogically trying to gain full possession of the landowner’s land. The landowner could make arrangements for a new heir after the death of his son. It isn’t guaranteed that they would receive the land, though it could have been possible. This is only a story, so we shouldn’t get too hung up on the little things because the story has one central point. God will judge those leaders who have put their status above God’s kingdom and people.
For me, as a pastor, the weight is heavy. I can see, especially in the U.S., how easy it is for pastors to seek status over humbly serving God. However, I don’t think this lets everyone else off the hook. As we grow in our faith and relationship with Christ, I think all Christians begin to see the beautiful things God does inside us and then can easily take the credit for something only God could do. Living in the U.S., many narratives and stories are about pulling ourselves up from humble beginnings to becoming more successful than ever imagined. So when we see God restoring us as we put our faith in Him, we mix God’s and the world’s stories with devastating results. That is when we begin to hurt those around us in the disguise of our religion.
Our faith requires more than a watering once a week and a little sunlight. Our faith requires us to know what the narrative of God’s story is and what the narrative of the world is. We must be able to see both to continue joining God in His redemptive work of bringing His kingdom to the world. I pray that we continue to pursue a relationship with our Savior and recognize the beautiful work he is doing inside us as something only He could do.
Pause and Pray
What ways have you put your wants and desires over God’s this week?
Lord, open my eyes to your incredible work within me and praise you for what you have done, not taking any credit. Lead me to allow more of your transforming work each day, leading me to practice pursuing you alone. Amen
Walk in the Kingdom
What will you do this week to allow God to lead your life?