City dwellers seeking a temporary escape from their normal day to day have caused a sharp rise in farm vacations, or the fancy term, agritourism. A major discovery for those who choose this style of time away from their concrete jungle is how much farmers love what they do. Just ask a farmer a question about life on the farm and they light up with an eagerness to share. They are humble experts in their specific type of farming, be it dairy or crops or animal husbandry. They know seasons for harvesting crops or preparing their animals for market. It quickly becomes apparent that the farm is an all-absorbing, 24/7/365 lifestyle, not a 9-5 endeavor. Animals need to be fed, cows need to be milked and pastured, eggs need collecting – regularly, weekends included. Crops need to be sown, watched over, watered, and when ripe, harvested. And for the farmer, all of this regulates life, providing order and a set routine. For the vacationer, this is very fascinating stuff but for most, life back home is suddenly viewed with new eyes, with a deeper appreciation of the lives they have. The farm is a nice place to visit.
To illustrate his teachings, Jesus frequently chose accessible, agricultural language. Even so, the disciples often failed to see the point and, waiting until they were alone with him, would ask for further clarification. To be fair, Jesus was describing a radically new way of living, life in the Kingdom. It was a lifestyle that was intimately relational – with Jesus himself! A Master Teacher seeking such a close friendship with his students was a stunning departure from the norm. All traditional roles were broken down. And loving and being loved in such a tight relational bond with someone like Jesus was a bit much for these rough and ready, sinful guys to grasp. It was like Jesus was asking to be their Valentine and they, his!
Fortunately for us, we have no such difficulties with Jesus’ request. We are comfortable with his eyes of love upon us at all times. We freely resonate with this arrangement. We know we are permanently loved and cared for and forgiven. That’s why we are so puzzled with the disciples’ reactions. That’s also why we constantly seek him, constantly find refreshing in his presence, constantly recognize the power conveyed to us by his love. Right? Okay, okay, maybe we have some work left to do to fully live into these Kingdom realities. Let’s meet up again tomorrow to look again at Jesus’ teaching, 10 AM, 3 PM UK, 4 PM ES. PD
