Like A Good Farmer
In previous articles I wrote about the apostle Paul telling his young protégé Timothy how he should view himself as a Christ follower by using metaphors. The first was to be like a soldier, with undivided loyalty and unquestionable obedience, courageous in the face of danger or hardship. Last week we heard Paul tell the young preacher to be like an athlete running for a prize. Timothy was to be disciplined and to compete to win a crown that would be presented to him by Christ himself, one that would never wilt like the wreath of leaves presented at the Greek games. But, he should run for an everlasting crown that would have eternal value. Be prepared to die for the crown laid up by Christ for you, its value is beyond any calculation.
Today, Paul gives a third metaphor to the young energetic Christ follower. Be like a good farmer. “The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.” (2 Timothy 2:6). I have never been a farmer. At best, I have planted a vegetable garden a few times and of this I am certain, farmers work is hard work. It is usually backbreaking, tiring labor and the reward for it is slow in coming. The apostle himself was a clear example of hard work, often paying a tremendous personal price for his faithfulness and diligence in following Christ. When instructing the Christians at Corinth (2Corinthians 11:25…) he reminds them of his Christ following journey, “worked hard, imprisoned numerous times, five times he was given 39 lashes, beaten with rods, shipwrecked three times and more…. Being a disciple of Jesus is not easy. It takes a concerted effort, and it is so daily. That’s why Jesus said to take up your cross daily and follow him. Discipleship demands commitment and daily allegiance strengthened by a focus, keeping one’s eyes trained on Jesus, being willing to set aside the entanglements of stuff and accumulations of this world’s treasures. It is difficult work, and it is best done in the company if others. Jesus knew this, so he trained twelve apostles who like him would train others, who together would follow him. This is why Christians establish churches, that we might strengthen each other and encourage each other, and carry one another’s burdens.
The farmer anticipates. When a farmer plants the seed he expects to realize a harvest. There will be rewards for his hard work, and when the harvest comes there is great joy. The harvest will bring opportunity, nourishment, and strength and with it will be the privilege to bless others.
When we keep our focus on Christ Jesus our Lord and commanding officer we see how the blessings unfold to the faithful and obedient servant. Jesus, who obeyed even unto death on the cross, was raised to newness of life, exalted to God’s right hand and thereby provides forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all who receive him as savior and Lord. Oh, what joy was his to bless so many who become his disciples. Those who follow their leader like a good soldier, and run the race of life like a determined athlete with a single goal, and who work hard at being like Jesus, like a good farmer they shall reap a harvest of righteousness.
One more thing about the farmer, he must learn patience. The harvest is seldom immediate. The Christian life is like a plant, it grows with care, nourishment and proper attention. Growth is usually in spurts over time. There will be seasons of growth, and sometimes it may seem too slow. The fruit is promised. There will be seed time and harvest. It requires patient endurance. There will be temptations periodically to cut some corners, trying different techniques and supplemental fertilizers (the Lord has given many warning labels). Jesus himself was tempted by the devil to take a shortcut to receive his promised crown, Satan took Jesus to a high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the earth, and said I will surrender all these to you if you bow down and worship before me (Matthew 4).
These had been promised to Jesus, “all authority in heaven and earth would be given to him” upon obediently completing his work on the cross. Do you see the temptation? “Jesus you can have it all NOW. No waiting. And no suffering, no dying, no humiliation, no grave. Avoid it, you can have it now.”
Patience is vital to being a good disciple of Jesus. Maturity in the Christian life is a daily journey. It’s a lifelong pursuit of learning to be like Jesus. This is a life with perspective. This life is designed with meaning and purpose. The disciples of Jesus belong to Jesus and therefore to God the Father, for Jesus said, “all that belong to the Father are mine, and all that are mine belong to the Father”. We also belong to each other, for together we are the church, and the bride of Christ. So, like a good farmer we work hard at following our Lord and master. Like the hard working farmer we eagerly anticipate the joy of his reward which we will share together.
Oh, to be a follower of Jesus Christ! What a privilege, what a joy! The journey begins with a confession of sin, and a heartfelt need of a savior that is expressed in belief and commitment to Jesus as your only savior and the Lord of your life. Let the journey begin.
Thanks for listening.