Jesus appreciated the beauty of nature (Matt 6:28-29) and showed respect for nature in His parables, which are rich in nature imagery. Through His upbringing in rural Galilee I imagine He would have learned about God’s care for creation by observing fruit trees, flowers, birds and fishermen and by
Jesus knew that nature reflects the activity of God and does not operate independently (Matt. 5:45; 6:26-30; Luke 12:6). God is a loving Father who sustains and cares for all creation. God gives life to all beings (John 5:17, 6:33; Luke 24:38) and provides food for animals, birds and plants (Matt 6:26-30; Luke 12:6). Since He loves all people, He causes the sun to shine and rain to fall on both righteous and wicked people (Matt 5:45; Ps 50:11; 104:14, 17). As
“Lord of heaven and earth,” God is worthy of praise and obedience (Matt 11:25; Luke 10:21).
“Lord of heaven and earth,” God is worthy of praise and obedience (Matt 11:25; Luke 10:21).
Nature provides ethical lessons. God’s provision of sun and rain for the wicked is a model for loving our enemies (Matt 5:44-45). Since God provides for the needs of animals and plants, humans should trust God to provide for their material needs and reflect this in prayer for daily bread (Matt 6:11, 25-33).
Jesus used nature metaphorically. The people of God are sheep that God cares for (Mark 6:34; John 9:36; 10:15) and those who would destroy them are wolves (Matt 10:16; John 10:12). Jesus is the good shepherd who gives His life for His sheep (John 10). He is the bread that gives eternal life (John 6:25-40). The Holy Spirit is the water that gives life (John 4:14).
Many parables utilize nature to teach spiritual truth. Parables featuring seeds, weeds, wheat, yeast,
Jesus used natural objects to illustrate moral and spiritual lessons. Bread and wine were sacramental symbols of the new covenant instituted through Jesus’ redeeming death on the cross (Mk 14:22-25). He made an unfruitful fig tree wither as a visual parable of judgment on people unresponsive to God (Mark 11:14; Luke 13:6-9).
God knows what happens to sparrows and provides for them (Matt 6:26; 10:29-31). Nevertheless humans have greater value than animals and plants (Matt 6:26, 29; 10:31; 12:12), since humans are created in God’s image (Gen 1:26). Jesus healed many people, but there is no record of His healing an animal. However, He taught the moral imperative of properly caring for animals (Luke 13:15; Matt 12:11).
Several of Jesus’ teachings have indirect implications for environmental stewardship. Leadership involves service of others, not power over others or an excuse for oppression (Mark 10:42-44). Hence human dominion over nature (Gen 1:26, 28) should be exercised for the good of creation, not the selfish destruction of nature. The parable of the talents and the parable of the wise steward imply the earth is a stewardship for which humanity is accountable to God (Matt 24:45-51; 25:14-30). The earth belongs to God not humanity (Matt 11:25; Ps 24:1), and humans will be judged on the condition in which they return God’s possessions (Matt 25:27).
