March 4 Devotion

Scripture Readings: Psalm 24 1 Corinthians 3: 11-23
Jeremiah 1: 1-10 Mark 4: 1-9

People gathered along the sea shore to listen to the words of Jesus. The crowd grew so large that Jesus got into a boat so that he might see and talk to all those gathered. The gospel writer, Mark, simply tells us that Jesus “began to teach them many things in parables.” (Mark 4: 2) He began his teachings by telling of a farmer who scattered seeds – some fell on the walking paths where the birds ate the seed; some feel on rocky ground, where without good soil, the seed could not grow; some seeds fell among the thorns, where the weeds choked all growth; and some seeds fell into the good soil where the grain grew well.

Some scholars have called this teaching “The Parable of the Sower,” while others have called it “The Parable of the Soil.” One way of thinking puts the responsibility upon “doing,” while the other way focuses on “receiving.”

I must confess that as a local church pastor, I have “preached” on the receiving side of the story. I remember a sermon called, “The Soils of a Congregation.” The word is shared and some refuse to hear; others half-heartedly hear; some receive the words, but are so pre-occupied with other things in life that they allow the “weeds of their living” to crowd out the word; while others prepare the soil of their hearts to receive what God has to offer and allow that word to grow within their lives. There is truth in that way of hearing the parable. But in focusing on the way of receiving the word, I can, as the preacher/teacher, let go of my responsibility. The task is to offer the words, but if nothing happens, then it’s the congregation’s fault – they just aren’t the right kind of soil.

Lately, I’ve been challenged to change my focus and see the responsibility of the sower. The faithful task is to share the word – to scatter the seeds of love, grace, forgiveness, and hope, and to scatter them whenever and wherever we can. Christ offers to those who believe an endless supply of “seeds.” We are given the privilege of scattering those seeds wherever we can – not paying attention to what we think are the proper or good conditions. We have no way of knowing how the “receivers” will listen (or even if they will listen), but how can they ever hear if no one is sharing the word with them.

In Craddock Stories, a collection of stories used in the sermons of Fred Craddock, he tells of the time he was called back to Oklahoma to share in the funeral of a friend. When Craddock served that church, the oldest daughter of his friend was 13. Craddock described Kathryn as “the worst 13 year-old I have ever seen. I mean, she was noisy, in and out, punching, shoving, breaking things, never stayed in the room, never paid attention. If there’s one person that doesn’t know a thing I’ve said in the time I was here, it would be Kathryn.” As they sat talking at a table after the funeral, Kathryn, now an executive with a telephone company, told Craddock that, “When Mother called and said Dad had died of a heart attack, I was just scrambling for something. Then I remembered a sermon you had preached on the meaning of the Lord’s Supper.” Craddock was even more surprised when she told him things that had been said in that sermon. Who knows? Who knows?

Scatter the seeds. Share the love of Christ. We cannot control where those seeds may land, but if we offer the love – who knows? Who knows?
Prayer: You give to us, O God, the gifts of life, love, forgiveness, hope, and grace. You ask that we share your gifts with others. Help us to faithfully sow those seeds in all the places where we live and serve. Do your work through us – and we will trust the growth to you. Amen.

Rev. Mark Conner
Western District Superintendent

Sunday Evening:

From Disciples 2007:

Luke 13:31-35

It is said that water will follow the path of least resistance. Discipleship does not – at least, not the discipleship modeled by Jesus, “I must be on my way.”
In the face of Herod’s threats (and remember, Herod’s capacity to kill had recently been demonstrated in the execution of John the Baptizer), Jesus stands firm. Yet standing firm does not mean paralysis. The way he must go is not one dictated by fear of Herod but by faithfulness to God. The absence of fear motivating this way becomes clear in Jesus’ perception of what awaits in Jerusalem. Had he feared Herod, Jerusalem would have been the last place he would have gone. Herod was a sideshow in comparison to Pilate and the power of Rome. But Jesus stands firm in his resolve to keep moving in the direction of faithfulness and ministry.
This week we have explored texts and stories that affirm faith’s twofold call: stand firm – but keep moving. That affirmation emerges out of trust: trust in God’s presence to stand with us, trust in God’s invitation as we move on our path of discipleship to not be afraid. Or perhaps, we might better say: to not live afraid. As noted in Monday’s mediation, we will always have reasons to be afraid. Herod and Pilate provided ample reason to be afraid in Jesus’ time. We might summon similar causes to fear from the crises of world and nation - and our own communities. However, we choose whether to live afraid. Jesus chooses to live on the basis of trust, not fear. So may we choose: to stand firm and to keep moving in the face of God’s presence and toward the light of God’s promises.
Vaya con Dios – go with God.

Prayer: Holy God, plant my feet and faith when I need to stand. Stir my heart and spirit when I need to move. In Jesus Christ. Amen

Submitted by Jim Ray