Grass or Glory?
Reflective Reading: Isaiah 40, John 6
Last week we talked about the unconventional evangelism displayed in Isaiah 40. We saw how mountains were made low, valleys filled, and crooked roads made straight in the desert. This monumental work provided unimpeded access for a new ruler to come to his newly conquered land. Though these conquerors were making a way to receive goods, services, and taxes from afar, they were also making a way, without their knowledge, for the good news of the gospel to spread and reach remote areas.
When the prophet Isaiah wrote about these creative connections between sovereigns and servants, God and man, he heard a Voice that commanded a response—“Cry!”
“The voice said, ‘Cry.’
And [Isaiah] said, ‘What shall I cry?’
‘All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field’”
Isaiah 40:6.
Hmmm, now that’s interesting. Can you imagine going to church this Sunday and all your pastor said was, “All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field.” What does that mean?! Ready? This may be one of the most powerful sermons ever given to mankind…but, before I comment on the meaning, let’s first listen to the whole sermon,
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever” (Isaiah 40:7-8).
Let’s put all this in perspective. The unconventional process of preparing roads for a sovereign required a messenger to first go and prepare the way. This was what John the Baptist did to prepare the way for Jesus. Spiritually, John made mountains low, filled valleys, and made straight, a way in the desert for Jesus, through his message of repentance. John made those who listened understand that their lives were no better than temporary grass, and if they didn’t repent, they would face eternal judgment…just like the scorching sun that withers the grass and flowers of the field.
I get it. Isaiah is trying to wake up the Jews to see that their current apathetic lives are no different than grass. The Apostle John picks up on this theme when he writes his gospel. In John 6 we come upon the feeding of the five thousand. It is there that Jesus commands the apostles to tell the people to sit down on the – (you guessed it) grass. It is within this chapter that my colleague Colin Smith found the following structure,
Once again, it is not only what the Bible means, but how it means it! I love that statement. The Bible is written so beautifully—structurally, grammatically, poetically, geographically, lexically, and even architecturally! God has written a masterpiece (of course he has—he’s God!).
In the center of this structure, we have the phrase, “Now, there was much grass in the place.” Why is God highlighting grass? Because up to this point in Jesus’ ministry, there has been a descending degree of belief. The miracles first started with a strong belief and then climaxed (or “anti-climaxed”) to weaker belief…until we reach the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. There, the result is no belief. All we see is people sitting down on the grass and enjoying a meal. What’s the significance of this? The people missed the miracle because they were too busy eating! As long as they had a comfortable place to sit and eat, they were satisfied.
God answers prayers and performs miracles daily and so many times we miss them. He is constantly trying to get our attention to turn us from the temporary to focus on the eternal—“to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” and all that we need will be added to us (Mathew 6:33). But so often, we choose the temporary over the eternal.
Both Isaiah and John present us with sermons on “grass”— “The grass withers and the flower fades”— which shows an emphasis on the temporary things in life. Jesus’ miracles were based on his Words. Whatever he said, came to pass. And that was the message Isaiah was trying to communicate—“The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of the LORD endures forever.”
As we draw this blog to a close, I have a few questions for you. What makes you satisfied? What fills you? In God’s Word, there are 8,767 promises. I can’t emphasize this enough! There are 8,767 promises waiting to fill, fulfill, and bless you beyond imagination. Here are a few to get you inspired. (I encourage you to find the rest of the 8,750 or so for yourselves),
Psalm 1 Blessed is the man… whose delight is in the teaching of the LORD; and in his teaching does he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Proverbs 4 Exalt Wisdom, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring you to honour, when thou embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to you.
Proverbs 3:13-15 Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man, who gets understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things you can desire are not to be compared to her.
Proverbs 8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to her.
Proverbs 8:34, 35 Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD.
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in him.
Romans 10:13 Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
I Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
God’s promises come with a guarantee—there’s nothing that can be desired that can be compared to possessing them. The choice is yours—grass or glory!
Sincerely,
Mark Hamby
M.S., M. Div., Th. M., D. Min.
