In the first part, Jesus talks about seed being planted by the farmer, yet, as the farmer sleeps and arises each day, he knows very well that he has nothing to do with the germination of the seed and its subsequent growth from seedling, to stalk, to budding ear of corn, to full grown, ready-to-harvest corn. Afterwards, the parable of the mustard seed is told.
We realize in these two parables that there is more than one pitch in the musical chord that Jesus is “sounding” before his disciples. The obvious “pitch” in the chord is that seeds grow quietly and unobtrusively, but, over time, a plant develops that can be harvested. Other pitches in the “musical” chord of these parables, tell us in no uncertain terms that no matter the small and insignificant beginnings of a seed, no matter our lack of understanding of seed germination and growth, and no matter that we think it impossible for such insignificance and hidden progress, the truth is that God’s fulfillment of His will and purpose will happen in God’s timing. We must be watchful and alert and trust that small beginnings, small seeds, and hidden growth could be God’s way of affecting eternal purposes in our lives and the lives of those whom we love so dearly. I always like to say that God seems to bring about His will and purposes for us through the backdoor of our lives.
Secondly, the account of Jesus calming the storm begins with him falling asleep on a pillow as the disciples set sail to go over to the other side. When the storm bears down upon them with the real possibility of sinking the boat, the disciples panic and are even cross when they reprimand Jesus and ask Him about His lack of concern about the life threatening situation. The power of God is unleashed in Jesus to calm the storm. Note that in the story of Jonah, the storm subsides when Jonah is thrown into the sea as Jonah tries to find yet another way to escape his vocation. Jesus confronts the storm with the power of God coursing through every fiber of His being.
When the forces of evil are roused, angry and threatening, Jesus is so confident of God’s presence and power that he can fall asleep on a pillow. Jesus quizzically reverses the question to the disciples, “ Don’t you yet have faith?” Here is Jesus with the disciples, going about their business; here are the forces of evil (madmen shrieking in the synagogue, angry men plotting, powerful men capturing Jesus and putting him to death); here is Jesus, not now asleep on a pillow but slumped on the cross. We hear his voice: Why are you afraid? Don’t you believe: And on the third day the storm is still, the tomb is empty, and great fear comes upon them all. Who then is this? The same question that the disciples asked after Jesus calmed the storm.
Actually, if you sign on with Jesus for the kingdom of God, it will become your story whether you realize it, whether you like it, or not. Wind and storms will come your way. The power of evil was broken on the cross and in the empty tomb, but like people who have lost their cause and are now angry, that power has a shrill malevolence about it. Christians, the church as a whole, local churches here and there, individual Christian—can get hurt or even killed as a result.
Mark’s invitation to all of us is: OK, go on, wake Jesus up, pray to him in your fear and anger. And don’t be surprised when he turns to you, as the storm subsides in the background, and asks when you’re going to get some real faith.
Lord, may you teach me to rest with You on the pillow amidst the storm. May I ever thank you for the faith you give me which is really not faith in me but faith in your faith as the Son of the Living God.
(Insights gleaned and quoted from N. T. Wright’s commentary on the Gospel of Mark.)
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