The Danger in Sowing Seeds
Seeds are a beautiful thing. They’re nature’s tiniest live force. A baby if you will, just starting its journey of growth. Waiting for the right amount of water/rain, sunshine, and oxygen. We carefully cultivate those seeds from the very beginning. Putting much thought into which seeds we will plant. Getting the right kind of soil/potting mix. Considering the proper container/space outside to plant them in. Looking at them every day. Moving them to optimize light exposure. Checking soil moisture. Coaxing them lovingly out of their shell to revel in their beauty or savor its earth ridden taste.
We get so excited to watch those little seedlings grow. And when they reach their peak and blossom or produce harvest, we’re overcome with a sense of pride. We did it! Completed something from start to finish. Maybe by ourselves, maybe with the help of others. Naturally, we want to share our success with others, so we share pictures of them via text, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, what have you. (How did we ever do this before cell phones!?!) Proof of our dedication in this endeavor.
Without someone continually planting new flowers, herbs, bushes, trees, grass, vegetables, fruits; our life force would wither away. This process of nurturing tiny seeds is extremely important and yields much bounty.
Thought Seeds
True also, are the seeds of our thoughts. The euphoric heights we reach by focusing on “… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable…” (Philippians 4:8) can be quite quenching to our eyes, our minds, and our hearts.
However, as with planting seeds; sometimes they grow stunted, catch a disease, become ravaged by predators, and ultimately die.
It is this constantly evolving “circle of life”, more importantly, the need to be watchful for the negative aspects of it, that’s stuck with me since reading Bill Crowder’s book Windows on Easter. In it, Crowder reviews the events leading up to, during, and after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. However, he does it in a refreshing manner by looking at them through the “windows” of other people’s eyes. People that were involved, but it a lesser known capacity. One such person, who I think we can all portray at some point in our lives, was Judas Iscariot. His life/thought seeds, as one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, reached its peak just days before Jesus’ crucifixion was to take place.
Being one of the disciples was a position many probably wished to obtain, but few were. As Crowder states: “He saw and felt and lived and did things most of us could only dream of.” What an experience!!! To work with and walk side by side with the Son of God. Can you imagine having someone as loving, compassionate, full of healing, grace, and mercy, and wise as Him to nurture you? It would seem impossible to harbor any negativity.
Yet for Judas, like all of us, he struggled with life and choosing the proper thoughts to cultivate. We don’t know much about Judas other than he was the treasurer. He was a man who ate meals, worked, socialized, practiced religion, and slept. So how is it that someone like him/you/I fall down this road of sowing harmful seeds. Crowder relays several key factors regarding Judas’ downfall, and they are very applicable to our everyday life.
Disenchantment
Many may recall the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Afterward, his sister Martha hosted a dinner to honor and thank Him. During the dinner, Lazarus’ other sister Mary washes Jesus’ feet with an expensive oil and her hair. Judas’ thoughts were only on the money as he questioned why the oil was not sold and given to the poor. He was not concerned with celebrating the miracle Jesus performed. He was focusing on why, in his opinion, Mary had wasted the oil. John 12:6 reveals that Judas was also a thief and used to take from the money box.
Judas’ negative thoughts started forming as early (perhaps even earlier) in moments like these. As Crowder puts it: “Judas may have enlisted with the Twelve because he wanted an earthly kingdom and the wealth that kingdom would bring…. If so, that disenchantment and unrealized desire made Judas a prime candidate for:”
Spiritual Failure
Key excerpts that spoke to me:
“After three years of walking with the Prince of Light, Judas chose instead the prince of darkness.”
In regards to Judas’ betrayal: “…it is a vivid reminder that exposure to spiritual things – even the presence of Christ Himself – is not the equivalent of a true relationship with God through His Son….Judas, like the spiritual enemy to whom he had yielded himself, had become darkness but learned to masquerade as light.”
Treason
Ultimately, Judas chose to betray Jesus. He went to the Sanhedrin and for 30 pieces of silver agreed to mark the Messiah with a kiss. On the night of the Lord’s Supper, Judas approached Jesus in Gethsemane, with “a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.” (Matt 26:47) As Crowder simply states Judas went from “faithful follower to energetic betrayer”.
Crowder also points out an angle I had never considered before: “the sacrificial spirit of Jesus”. He knew that Judas would betray him (John 13:26) and did nothing. When He was arrested, He did not fight, did not argue, nor did He try to flee. He knew His death was the only way to secure forgiveness and salvation for the entire world. Crowder asks the question:
Where did it all begin? For Judas, it may have been something as seemingly innocent as becoming a little disgruntled, a little dissatisfied – but what a dangerous thing. Judas probably never expected that his seemingly minor complaints would be his first steps on the path to becoming a traitor. No wonder God judged Israel so harshly for murmuring in the wilderness. Judas’ example explains why one of the things God hates is “one who sows discord among brethren” (Prov 6:19). The result is always destructive. And the result was certainly destructive for a once-trusted, active, committed disciple who turned into a hated, vilified, shamed traitor who betrayed his friend with a kiss. Can it be any different for you or me?
Sowing Negative Seeds
WOW! Talk about a reality check! Could it be any different for me? Was it any different for me? Although I’ve never denied being a Christ follower or betrayed a friend, I have certainly sowed numerous destructive “thought seeds”. I’ve let small annoyances turn into volcanoes. At certain times I’ve let the “What If’s” take over my life. While still nursing a hurt I’ve granted forgiveness and then secretly (or so I hope) continued to hold a grudge. I’ve judged others and myself, coveted what other friends have; thinking it will make me happier/my life simpler, pretended to know better than God when I’m pining after something my heart really desires.
And I constantly use the phrase “I’m fine” when really, I’m far from it. But as I reread Crowder’s thoughts regarding Judas’ decent to spiritual failure, and how he was living a life of darkness yet masquerading as light, I couldn’t help think – that applies to something as simple and little as speaking the words “I’m fine” when it’s not true. What dark thoughts am I harboring? How long will I let those thoughts fester, growing to weeds of unprecedented size and quantity? Will I choose to use words and examples from the Prince of Light as fertilizer or will I let the prince of darkness devour my thoughts?
Weeding Out the Bad Seeds
My prayer is that we immerse ourselves in the former. It can be so easy to let those tiny weeds grow. We tell ourselves it’ll be better tomorrow. Perhaps we feel wallowing in the darkness will help us heal faster or that it’s part of the grieving process. Maybe we don’t move toward the source of fresh oxygen because it’s more comfortable playing the role of the victim. Sometimes we feel the world or people owe us something. Or it might be we’ve gotten so used to sarcasm/judgment/hatred/pessimism/fill in the blank as a way of thinking, that it seems impossible to soak up the reviving water rushing just feet away. It is so easy to get swallowed up. After all, a patch of dandelions residing in the blacktop of my driveway were the first to blossom this month!!!
As we step into the week of Easter, remember the story of Judas Iscariot. Remember the role he played in Jesus’ final hours. Dare to make a pact with yourself (and/or a loved one for help with accountability) to never let your negative seeds turn into the ugly weeds that overcome and eventually squash out your source of light and life. We’d be remiss to think that our thoughts don’t reflect our hearts -or that what’s in our hearts will never exit the mouth – all of which cause even more widespread damage.
