Effective leaders sometimes say, "Begin with the end in mind." They tell us that we need to 1) have a clear a vision of what the end product should be like (called the "preferred future"), 2) assess where we are right now, and 3) establish a strategy that will get us from where we are to where we need to be."
I think that this leadership formula helps us understand Jesus' teaching in Mark 4. God has the end, the preferred future, in mind. What is it? Revelation 21–22 tells us quite clearly that God's mission is to make everything right in the cosmos—everything (Rev. 21–22). Hurricanes and floods such as those we saw on the East Coast in "Superstorm Sandy" this past week? They will be no longer happen. Poverty and joblessness like the politicians are discussing in the presidential campaigns? They will not exist. Injustice and oppression caused by greedy and arrogant leaders such as we see in almost all institutions and organizations throughout the world? The God who is loving and just will reign over all. Wars? They will cease. Death? It will be no more. Temptation and sin? We will be set free.
God's mission is to make all things right everywhere in his creation. Everything, everyone, everywhere will declare what the Maker is like. All that is will reveal God's glory.
God's "right making mission" is called the "kingdom of God" and is centered in the coming, the life, and the work of Jesus. Jesus came to make all things right. In Mark 1–3, we saw how Jesus has authority over all wrongs in this world. He cast our demons. He healed sickness. He had authority over all earthly authorities. In later chapters, he will feed the hungry, overcome natural disasters, and even raise the dead to life. Jesus began his work with the end in mind. And when Jesus is done, all who trust in him will be made right, and we will be a part of a universe that makes known the love, wisdom, beauty, and holiness of its Maker.
But what strategy did Jesus intend to use? Did he raise up an angelic army and march on Jerusalem and then on the rest of the world? Did he call down supernatural fire from heaven to consume all who are wicked? Some expected such things at the coming of Messiah. What did Jesus mean when he said, "The kingdom of God has arrived"? Arrived where? How?
And Jesus said in Mark 4, "Learn from seeds. My message and my work will be like seeds." We'll consider what he meant this weekend at LAC.
"The kingdom of God is like a man scattering seed on the ground..."
-Jesus, Mark 4:26
To His Glory,
Dr. Greg Waybright
Senior Pastor