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Scripture Text (NRSV)
4:26 He also said, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would
scatter seed on the ground,
4:27 and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would
sprout and grow, he does not know how.
4:28 The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head,
then the full grain in the head.
4:29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle,
because the harvest has come."
4:30 He also said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or
what parable will we use for it?
4:31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is
the smallest of all the seeds on earth;
4:32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all
shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air
can make nests in its shade."
4:33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were
able to hear it;
4:34 he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained
everything in private to his disciples.
Comments:
steve souther:
Friends, I like the idea of sowing 'kingdom seeds'
Rick in Canada, eh?:
Hi all. Came across this article a few weeks ago. Good timing, eh? http://www.patheos.com/blogs/freelancechristianity /the-kingdom-of-heaven-is-like-a-weed/
evangelicalsteve:
Thanks, Rick. That article was very helpful. As of today, I'm titling my sermon 'God's Kingdom is like a Dandelion'. The chair of my congregation just started keeping bees, so at least he'll get it...
Steve souther:
Friends What purpose did Jesus have in telling the crowd this parable?
Steve Souther again:
Jesus needed to understand the people in order To speak only about the kingdom in the way they could understand. This is telling. He was that interested In them, and cared about them. His voice for them was to the dry bones: here the word of the Lord and rise up and live!
Rick in Canada, eh?:
Hi all. Ok, here's a friendly game, just to try to get the juices flowing. Using the insights from the article above, come up with your own parable of God's reign. My idea this morning: The reign of God is like the very smallest grain of sand you can imagine... which has just been kicked into your eye. For all its smallness, it can't be ignored. In fact, it changes everything, and now the whole body will be put to work dealing with this irritant. It will bring tears, and pain, and nothing will be possible until it is acknowledged. And even when you think you've dealt with it, and your life can now get back to normal, the results of its presence just may stay with you, and there is always the possibility of it returning and messing things up again. This is me trying to acknowledge that the reign of God is not all warm and fuzzy comfort. Sometimes it's disruptive and challenging. Anyway, your turn. And, Go!
steve souther:
Friends, again. I happen to be at a Montreat Youth conference, shaproning a group of high school students. Listening to these participants and to the presenters all week, I'm getting another perspective. I also checked the site mentioned above. I am hearing lots of different voices, all talking in the background of this text. I think there is a longing in all of them of the very kingdom Jesus talks about. The alienation, the marginalization, the feelings of being alone,,,and many more. It is a reminder of the care given those birds resting in the shade of that mustard bush. All of the birds, in fact, are enjoying the benefits of the kingdom of God. The built in energy, imagination and love is given a perfect outlet. the one thing each of them possess is the ability to take advantage of that tree to build a nest and to have babies and to teach them to fly and provide for themselves and their children. Think of it. Why do the birds know all this and our children do not? Jesus wants them to know this: the Creator of the birds also created them, and the place for them is also provided --it's called the Kingdom of God in the Bible, but it can have a name more suited to our culture. This would take nothing away from the intent and the need. Enough rambling
steve again:
Friends, another thought. To me this seed image speaks to faith that moves mountains. "faith as small as a mustard seed..." Faith is something we can only imagine. Like a billion dollar inheritance that suddenly comes to a person, much help is needed in order to manage it, to put it to good use, and to make sure it doesn't corrupt. The potential is so great that no one person would be able to comprehend it, much less know all about what to do. Faith is that inheritance. We've only just begun as a church to scratch the surface. The needs of the world go on, the problems of society rich and poor... all wait for this inheritance to be put to work. Seed of the Kingdom. They need scattering. But not to worry, we can sleep at night while they grow...
steve again:
The good news: there will be a harvest! In western Kansas everything is geared around--the harvest. All year long, people are working towards this event--the economy is based on it; the culture is centered on the harvest. Working the ground is a notle thing. Without that ground to work, people cannot live, and have to leave. I can't imagine anyone having fertile land and not working and not having faith_(yes, faith is needed when you're talking about Harvest. Many hazards threten harvest every year, like hail) JHesus promises a harvest, and that brings joy to the heart! There is feasting at hervest time; there is dancing and celebration when there is a good harvest. There is nothing to compare with harvest!
steve souther again:
Friends, I suppose Jesus' explanation to his disciples in private detailed how this sowing and kingdom work was done in practice. As with any groups tasked with specific work, they too needed cordination and instruction. We must listen carefully to what isn't spelled out in this conversation we're overhearing. It's Friday in the mountains. It's very nice, but things grow better in the valley. I too must go down an plant for the kingdom harvest. But maybe some planting of seed is taking place for this group of high school students. In listening to what isn't said, I may be hearing more than was intended, but I see the tasks
Jesus engaged his disciples in required them to work as a community, not individually so much. I say this because of the Trinity, and how Jesus did ministry himself. In order for community to take place it must see itself in terms of Paul's image, the 'body.' Carl Jung took this image and broke it down using different language. He called it the process of 'individuation.' Each person must grow into their true self in order for them to take their place fully in community.
This process is for the individuals as well as for the group. The process is similar to preparation for the olympics--there is a trainer and each member (legs, arms, heart, mental activity, ect. and to reach a much higher level much work or process is needed. Preparation for the harvest needs all of this at work. Harvest produces things that outlast the mountains and the white foam of the ocean. Even still, there is plenty time for sleep ==cause you're going to need rest and peace.
steve souther:
Instead
of preaching a sermon, Jesus was reaching a people. All week long I've been
wondering how it's possible in this place and in the church back home. The first
three I asked said they had other plans and can't come to worship Sunday.
Sow seeds anyway, I said to myself; don't be discouraged.
Kingdom time is different than my time. And much of what is happening goes on
beneath the surface, undetected.
Nelson in the desert:
Steve Souther: Thanks for your last paragraph concept in your June 15 submission: "Sow seeds anyway, . . . much of what is happening goes on beneath the surface undetected." I will be using this phraseology to connect this Sunday's Lectionary reading to the previous parable Jesus used as an example of teaching the word through parable to his disciples; the story of the sower and the four surfaces on which the seeds (Word) fall, which occurs earlier in Mark 4.
steve souther:
Again... Before I forget it, the 'explanation' Jesus gave to his disciples most likely included how they were to participate in the sowing--the work they were to be doing in the kingdom, not an explanation of the kingdom itself. The question about 'intent' may have triggered this idea --having jelled all weak long amidst all the dust kicked up by 1,100 teens at Montreat.
Yes, Jesus wasn't talking about an idea that made people
smarter, but rather brought them into the working of God's kingdom. His sermons
were intended to bring about a change in the way people did things and received
God's purpose. I know. this is obvious. But it never really sunk in that he
would take this parable and use it as the foundation of a plan, which included
disciples. Blessings to you
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