Agricultural stories

Jesus uses a number of agricultural stories and parables to describe the Reign of God: the sower of seeds, the barren fig tree, the weeds growing among wheat, the mustard seed, and the story of the vine and branches, among others.

The image of God’s Reign that Jesus gives us in these stories is very organic, dynamic, and living, and there is a movement toward fruitfulness. Even in the story of the vine and the branches, where some branches are pruned off the vine, the message is about being more fruitful.

God works through us and with us to produce growth. If we stay true to God’s word, the pruning will happen, the cross will happen, and so will new life in us for God’s Reign in this world.

The Reign of God is not somewhere else that we strive to reach. It’s in our midst. We’re in its midst–God acting with and among us. The brief story of the vine and branches mentions “remain” seven times and “bear fruit” five times, pointing out the importance of remaining with Christ and working with Christ, trusting that our lives will bear fruit in the Reign of God.

“By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” (John 15:8)