Lectionary Lesson for June 14, 2015 Whos In Charge Here?

Focal Point: Our ultimate success (well-being) in life comes from the Lord.

First Reading (Hebrew Scripture)

Ezekiel 17:22-24

22 Thus says the Lord GOD:

I myself will take a sprig

from the lofty top of a cedar;

I will set it out.

I will break off a tender one

from the topmost of its young twigs;

I myself will plant it

on a high and lofty mountain.

23 On the mountain height of Israel

I will plant it,

in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit,

and become a noble cedar.

Under it every kind of bird will live;

in the shade of its branches will nest

winged creatures of every kind.

24 All the trees of the field shall know

that I am the LORD.

I bring low the high tree,

I make high the low tree;

I dry up the green tree

and make the dry tree flourish.

I the LORD have spoken;

I will accomplish it.

Background This beautiful piece of poetry which, in a way, stands perfectly well by itself

has a much deeper meaning when we learn what is going on behind it, as we

say.

Ezekiel prophesied during the tumultuous sixth century BCE, literally in the midst

of what came to be known in Israel as The Exile. Caught between two major

world powers Babylon and Egypt the people of God had already seen the

northern part of their country destroyed earlier. Now, as things get even more

tense, the ruler of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar) sweeps in and carries a part of

the population off to his capital. This group included Ezekiel and another young

Hebrew man: Daniel. (Catch the story from Daniels perspective, aka, the Lions

Den, particularly in Daniel 1-3.)

The prophet Jeremiah had told Israels king that all would be well that God

actually was planning to use the king of Babylon to accomplish Gods will.

However, the king (Zedekiah) chose to ignore Jeremiah and eventually sought

safety in the promise of Egypts pharaoh to come to Israels aid. In the opening

verses of Ezekiel 17, these two kingdoms are depicted as eagles snatching

clippings from the cedar trees, and the tender vine that grows up is Gods

preservation of the nation in exile.

When Zedekiah turns away from the first eagle and seeks help from the second,

the vine withers. This is an illustration of Nebuchadnezzars second visit to

Jerusalem in 586 BCE when he leveled the walls and destroyed the Temple

(and, not coincidentally, Egypts forces never showed up!)

Nowcome the words in our passage for today. God is assuring the people that

the story is not over, for God will be the one who will ultimately take a sprig

from a lofty cedar and plant the nation for good.

Ezekiels message is a reminder of who really is in charge of Gods people who

their true King really is. God will plant, God will bless. There is no ruler on the face

of the earth that succeed in thwarting Gods final purposes. Likewise, there is no

people who can ever fail when God is on their side.

The final words seal the deal: I the Lord have spoken; I will accomplish it!

Gospel Reading

Mark4:26-34

26 He also said, The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on

the ground,27 and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would

sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28 The earth produces of itself, first

the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain

is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.

30 He also said, With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what

parable will we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon

the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32 yet when it is sown it

grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large

branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.

33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to

hear it; 34 he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained

everything in private to his disciples.

All scriptures from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.

Background Jesus, like Ezekiel, was fond of using agricultural images to help people

understand the spiritual realities of life.

The opening parable about a farmer who rather indiscriminately seems to sow

seeds upon the ground doesnt at first make much sense from a rational point

of view. Theres no discussion of preparing the soil, or of tending it with fertilizer,

water, and pruning of weeds, etc. Just straightforward throw out the seeds and

wait to see what happens.

Actually, the parable doesnt say that the farmer didnt do all these things we

would expect any worker half-worth his salt to put forth at least some effort.

However, the emphasis from Jesus is on who or what actually causes the growth

to occur after the seed hits the soil.

No matter how much effort any farmer puts into a field, it is not ultimately the

farmer who makes the crops grow. That part of the operation is completely

outside the farmers ability to manipulate. Watering and fertilizing aside, the

farmer must wait for the final product to appear before he knows whether or not

hes going to be in the money.

The kingdom of God is a lot like that, Jesus says.

Then, he picks an image they all could literally look around and see with their

own two eyes. Mustard shrubs grew throughout the area of Palestine (as they do

to this day.) Famous for their small, black or yellow seeds, these shrubs often

grew to impressive heights. Take a look at the comparison below: (thanks to

Pastor Brian Suntken for his self-portrait by the mustard shrub!)

The tiny seed like all other seeds has within it everything it needs to grow and

produce fruit. The whole bush resides right there, in just one seed. Jesus likens

that to the kingdom of God, as well; just the smallest seed of faith can produce

great results.

But as in the Ezekiel reading who exactly is responsible for that growth? Can

any of us claim responsibility for producing a crop of righteousness in our own

lives in the same way the giant shelter-providing shrub grows from a tiny black

seed?

Questions for Discussion

With all this talk of transplanting trees and sowing seeds, how well do you relate

to the imagery of natural things growing in order to understand your own

spiritual development? What, if anything, do these images mean to you?

Beyond a simple act like planting a seed which we might understand as receiving the gospel in obedience how much control do you have over the success of your life, spiritually and otherwise?

To what extent do you believe we are partners together with God in living our lives for Christ?

Making the Bible Practical Look for a plant or tree that you can tend this week; it might be yours, or your

neighbors (ask permission) or even in a public park. Clean around it, add some

water if needed, even speak to the plant! Now, reflect on its growth. What part

of the plants health is yours, and what part is up to God?

A mustard seed A mustard shrub (and pastor)