Christians as good soil | Presbytery of Niagara

Christ reshapes the way God’s mystery is received
Preached at Drummond Hill on May 31, 2025
Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-7; Mark 4:1-9

In today’s world, equality is important. This understanding of equality for all began with the spread of American style democracy. It is in the American declaration of independence that we find the phrase, “all (men) are created equal.” Many people have not challenged this statement, but have accepted as self-evidently and universally true.

Today as less and less people in the Western world claim to be Christians, this universal statement is accepted as the unbreakable truth. In our lives however, people feel betrayed because the world does reflect it. Some people are more equal than others. We see this in how people are compensated. Some are paid for the same work many times more than others. For example, those who make a brand car in the USA get paid far more than those in Mexico. Also when people are judged for similar crimes, some are treated more favourably because some can afford better lawyers than others. Putting one’s belief on this universal truth claim ends up frustrating the humanity which struggles under the weight of injustice experienced by everyday person on a street.

It is important to understand that the statement itself is neither Scriptural nor Christian in its origin. Its core value does not come from Christian faith. It is an argument put forward by American politicians who wanted to create a new nation while controlling the expressions of faith. They wanted the USA to be different from Europe which was supposedly mired in religious wars. By saying that all are equal, they argued that people should not fight over religious values in public spaces and relegated religious practices to privacy of individual homes. In this sense, the statement snuffs out Christian faith in public spaces in the name of tolerance and peace.

Unlike this high and lofty statement, the Bible does not say that everyone is equal before God. What it says is that everyone is a sinner before God. The Scripture also tells us that in dealing with us God does not show partiality.

What the Bible tells us is that people are different; individuals are unique; each person is given a different gift; and yet, everyone is valued and is considered as an image of God. And it tells us more. It shows us that each of us carry a different burden. Some are given more; some less. Only when we put our thoughts away from today’s claims like “all are created equal” can we appreciate what it means to be God’s people today.

As Christians we know we are not all created equal and we are not called to the same tasks. Some are given special a gift to teach, some a gift of prophecy, and there are those who are given a gift of being like God. If anything, we know that Christians are not called to be equal with others, but to be servants. There are those who are called by God carries heavier burden, those who are chosen have higher standards to meet, and those who share God’s grace of love even with their enemies.

Some suffer debilitating illnesses from birth. Some are born in countries that are too poor for people to buy enough to eat. Even some are born in situations that are horrifying. On the opposite side we see that some are born into the riches, glut of excess, and luxury for no reason other than their parents were. The world is not a place that shows equality even in countries that espouse such equality.

The Biblical understanding of the world is far more realistic and true to the way we experience the world. It also brings forth the means by which life becomes meaningful—not in the way that “death equalizes everyone” kind of way.

Take a look at today’s parable. If all are created equal, when the good news comes to them, all would welcome and flourish. Instead, we see some receive, but could not careless. Some are happy and exuberant, but soon their enthusiasm wanes. Some are happy and able to let the good news sprout until hardship befalls them. Some are indeed bearing fruits plentifully. That is, not all are created equal.

Yet, the message is that few are indeed called to be fruitful. What, then, does this parable mean for those who are unable to flourish? The message of Gospel Mark in entirety offers much hope for those who wane and perish without bearing fruits. In many ways because of the few all may benefit and be blessed. There is a sense of deeper burden for some in this case. Those who are called are to tend to the good news that they will flourish and that others will come to share in their flourishing. The understanding is not that some of those who are called will be special, but those who are put on good soil or better life situations are to become blessings to all. Perhaps this is why we find in Genesis that through Abraham and his descendants others will be blessed.

This unfairness, perhaps, is why the good news of Christ is so difficult to accept. In God’s mystery of love, we have no idea of the outcome. Even the impartiality of God does not give us any comfort because we know we are sinners.

In this enigmatic situation, however, we see God’s grace and mercy at work. The mystery of God is that in spite of all that we are, “God so loved the world” in ways that we cannot fathom and brings forth the way of salvation in Christ Jesus. Which ones among us are put on good soil will depend on how God’s love in Christ affects those around us to find the life described in today’s Isaiah’s passage.

When we be the good soil we witness the eyes of the blind opening, the ears of the deaf unstopped, the lame leap like a deer, the tongue of the speechless sing for joy, waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert, the burning sand becomes a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water, then we come to understand that some of us were called to be servants not only of God, but also of all our neighbours—even being servants to our enemies. That is, we are re-shaped in ways that the good news truly makes sense in our world today as seeds fallen on good soil.
The parable is not a gentle pastoral scene to describe the wonderful world of Christians who are already in the future: it is a picture that depicts Christians to be confident stewards of the good news amidst troubles and tribulations of this world here and now. Again remember the first readers of Gospel Mark: they were restarting in strange and foreign lands away from Jerusalem seeking meaning and purpose for their existence as Christians.

All are not created equal: all stands before God as sinners. That we are all sinners and that God is and shall be impartial do not make us equal. Indeed, these two facts make us face our mortality. Yet, God’s grace in Christ offers hope to the world by reminding us that we are the good soil that brings a life full of his love so that all may benefit under God’s reign here and now.