His given name was John Chapman; he came into this world in the usual way but at an unusual time. He was born in 1774, and the Massachusetts Bay Colony was revolting against England and King George the III. Life must have been difficult to be born during a war for independence from a ruling power. Gardening is a more peaceful way of life than war. At an early age John headed west of the Appalachian Mountains into western Pennsylvania and the Ohio territories with his brother. John grew up to become a missionary and as he traveled, he would plant the seeds of apple trees. For John, it was like planting seeds of the gospel.
So, are we planting the seeds of the gospel to those we meet? Jesus was very specific in His apostolic instructions to the early church of God; “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:19-20 [NKJV]). The early Church of God was told to spread the gospel (Planting seeds of discipleship) even to the “end of the age” starting in Jerusalem then to Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). We are still to be planting the seeds of discipleship today, even to the ends of the earth.
What is the purpose of planting seeds? “Another parable He [Jesus] put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” (Matt. 13:31-32).
When we plant seeds, do we see results of our efforts right away?
- No, gardening is a work of patience and caring for young plants. Time and patience are a part of spreading seeds.
- Eventually little sprouts come up which are in peril as they are tender and must be guarded.
- With proper nurturing (weeding, watering and fertilizing) the seed will continue to grow.
- Over time the seed begins to grow in strength and spreads its branches.
- When the seed is mature, and now as a full tree it will drop its seeds and help to spread the tree.
- With age and maturity, the tree becomes a bulwark of strength and can protect the little seedling growing nearby.
- Planting the seeds of the gospel will help bring peace to this earth.
The growth process of a seed mirrors the growth process of one who hears the gospel and has the “seed” of Jesus planted in them. Our gospel seed planting efforts may not show any results for many years, but God is faithful and calls who He wills. The seed will grow when watered, weeded and fertilized just like the seed planted by the preaching the gospel will grow when watered with the Holy Spirt, weeded from this world and fertilized by the Word of God. As the seed of the gospel grows, we will have shade and places of rest as we mature into His spirit and follow Him by going to make disciples.
How far will the seed grow? How important is it for us to plant the seed of the gospel of the Kingdom of God? Isaiah answers this for us.
“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isa. 9:6-7).
There will be no end to the planted Seed and His growth in this world. The time is coming when Jesus will return to rule this world with a rod of iron. (Ps.2:9; Rev. 2:27; 19:15). The work of planting the seed of the gospel has no end and will forever grow.
Are we planting the seeds of the gospel with those we meet? Are we like the missionary John Chapman planting orchards across the Ohio Valley? Our job is to plant the seed of Jesus Christ into this world so it may grow like a tiny mustard seed into His great kingdom. Who was John Chapman? He was none other than Johnnie Appleseed. Are we the Johnnie Appleseed of spreading the seed of His gospel? Now you know, the rest of the story.
Mike Wallace
