Tuesday 5 November 2024

[Jesus] also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how." (vs 26-27)

Mark 4:26-34 Tuesday 5 November 2024

Psalm 29

Background
We continue our consideration of the parables that Jesus told to those who gathered to listen to his teaching. Jesus was addressing the crowds – anyone who would come close enough to hear. He spoke about a tiny seed, once planted, growing in mysterious, unaccountable ways to become something of great worth to the world. He was likening the planting of seeds to growth of awareness of the kingdom of God.

A farmer plants a seed and then goes about life as usual. The seed grows imperceptibly, and even the farmer “does not know how” (4:27). The seed possesses a power of generation independent of the farmer: he can be absent and ignorant, yet the seed still grows. Humanity, likewise, goes about its business as usual, but the kingdom of God is present and growing, even if small and unobserved. It is not dependent on human activity. Indeed, apart from sowing, the only human activity noted in this parable is waiting in confidence that, in God’s time and power, the gospel will grow into a fruitful harvest. In such a way, Jesus said, God's kingdom is all around us and within us!

Of course, we cannot study Jesus' teaching of God's rule without learning the big message that you and I are centrally involved in it! Jesus believed so strongly that God's kingdom was the means of fulfilling God's creation. That blessed kingdom offers the completion of God's creation, moving from earth to heaven. The kingdom offers all that God desires for us. As we seek to walk close to Jesus, we are part of God's work through Jesus – we are within the kingdom. And so the invitation is always given: "Come, let us walk in the way of the Lord!" That invitation is to be very attentive to the days of this week. Every day you are sharing in the planting of seeds of God's love and God's kingdom. But more, you will receive, this week, the blessing of other plantings. Those blessings are part of the walk, too. Through it all, you are growing towards the harvest time – in your life now, and in your claim to the eternal kingdom of God's great love. It is mystery. It is growth.

To Ponder:

  • Looking back over your life, look for the times of growth in faith and think about the planting of seeds that preceded that growth. Remember the situation and any people involved when those seeds of faith were sown. Hold a moment of quiet, light a candle, remember and give thanks to God.
  • The planting of seeds of faith, love and hope are essential aspects of the mission of the Church. Where in the everyday life of the world does the Church need to plant those seeds? Have you been involved in such ministry? How hard is it to be patient and allow the growth to take place naturally?

Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Adrian Burdon
Adrian Burdon is Superintendent Minister of the Telford Circuit in the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District. He has been a presbyter since 1988 and, in addition to Shropshire, has worked in the Oldham Circuit, on the Fylde coast, in Leeds city centre, the Northeast of England and as a mission partner in the South Pacific. Adrian is Chair of the CTBI writing group which writes material for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and is Chair of the Connexional Liturgy and Worship Subcommittee of the Faith and Order Committee.

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