Here is a message I wrote for supply preaching I'm providing. Never thought much about weeds.
Over the years I have heard the stories of Jesus' parables, like Mark 4:30-32, and thought nothing of them. However, I am aware that a parable is a teaching tool that presents a dilemma to grapple with. They are supposed to make us squirm and have shock value. So I am perplexed as to what is disturbing about the kingdom of God being like planting a tiny mustard seed that grows into a great bush, which shelters the birds of the air. That's not shocking. Obviously this text lacks relevance to a postmodern world. Or does it?
Did you know that the mustard bush was considered an out-of-control, pungent weed one would never intentionally plant? In fact, according to ancient Greek and Jewish gardening manuals, mustard was to be kept separate from other plants because it took over the garden. It was a common plant that could grow to a height of six feet or more. Mustard is an aggressive, undesirable weed. It takes over where it is not wanted, gets out of control, and attracts birds into areas being cultivated for particular crops farmers didn't want the birds eating up. So Jesus is saying that God's rule is like an idiot planting a weed that is invasive, impossible to remove, prolific beyond measure, taking over where it is not wanted and providing a home for pesky birds. In other words, the Kingdom of God is like a lawn of dandelions and crab grass. So, now are you feeling some parabolic shock?
Someone once said a weed is just a flower that is a victim of prejudice. Well yes, weeds are plants, and usually a plant that is growing eagerly with great ease in a place it is not supposed to be in. It is out of good order. I remember an example of this from walking the bean fields when I was a kid, hoeing weeds. I remember pulling corn stalks that were the previous year's crop in the current bean field. It always struck me as funny that one year's crop was next year's weed. Maybe weeds are just a matter of perspective.
From what I've come to know about God's ways, being asked to live a weed's life makes perfect sense. God is an extravagant giver of grace and love to those who don't earn it or deserve it. God repeatedly chooses the youngest, the weakest, and the lowest to become the greatest of leaders and prophets. There are stories upon stories in the Bible of God thinking outside the expected God box. Again and again, as we expect God to be remote, dignified, rational and predictable, we get the wild, extravagant, uncontrollable experience of a personal creator, radical savior, and irrational spirit.
God won't fit in our box of judgments and predictabilities and that is an unsettling thought. Deep down there is an innate fear of letting go of the control we suppose ourselves to have. The truth, we try to plan and plant a perfect garden life, but we can't control the frost or drought or rabbits from invading and disrupting our perfect plans. Nor do we win the battle against those invasive weeds with plans of their own. Could it be that living life in God's rule means we don't have control over how perfect our life is going to look to the rest of the world? It may mean looking like a weed, a cornstalk in a field of beans.
Another aspect of this parable's challenge for us and our control is the common interpretation that it is about smallness, in little steps and small hopes progressing on a path that leads to greatness. This parable is a testimony to the power of our focus and faith. Just as this is a testimony to the power of God's rule in our lives it can be a testimony to that which we would be more apt to call weeds, the things that choke us and suffocate our ability to love and live life abundantly. What small, insignificant thing are you focusing on and putting your faith in?
When we worry and fill our minds and hearts with anxiety, frustration, and fear of failure, we open ourselves to be changed in ways that hold us back and keep us from experiencing the abundant grace God offers. Now imagine making one very tiny attempt to pray about your fear, to plant a seed of hope even though all looks absolutely hopeless and you're not really sure you believe anything good could possibly come of your bad. It's just a tiny seed of a weed covered by cemented perfectionism, estrangement from God, loneliness, addiction, grief, or worry. Then let it be and see that hopeful weed find its way to grow through the tiniest of cracks. It is uncontrolled growth, passion beyond common sense, invasive love and grace for you and for me. It's a personal Creator who sees the pain of her creation and pays the debt himself. Imagine a tiny seed of faith leaving a pile of broken cement at the foot of a cross.
I know it is shocking to think of God's rule being like a weed. The traditional thought is found in our text from Ezekiel this morning. The Kingdom of God is like a mighty cedar tree. Isn't that more what we expect? We want a strong, tall, mighty God life to depend on. But here's a thought. How do you get rid of a cedar tree? You cut it down. The cedar is easy to fall and they never re-grow from the stump. Now how do you get rid of a weed? Yes, a shot of Weed-be-Gone works for a year, but what about the next year? There's always another weed. They just keep coming back.
You know that actually gives me comfort. Jesus may not be offering a l ife of mighty power and greatness like the cedar, but he is offering a life that lasts and keeps coming back no matter what we do to keep God out. Always there is a God of forgiveness, love, shelter and shade when we tire of our weary lives. So when you feel willing to surrender and take a rest from being in control, consider these words of assurance, "Come all ye who are weary and I shall give you rest. Oh and by the way, I'm not going away."
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