The Kingdom of God is like…

How would you fill in the blank? How do you view God’s Kingdom? What are your hopes and dreams as you vision God’s Kingdom?

In Mark 4:26-34, we get a glimpse into God’s Kingdom.  We get a glimpse from the perspective of two parables. Did you know that parables are the only way Jesus spoke to the people and even to the disciples.  However, Jesus did explain everything to the disciples when they were in private.  Jesus gave the disciples the INSIDE-SCOOP!

The word “Parable” in the Greek is broken down into two parts: PARA – which means “BESIDE” and BALLEIN, which means, “TO THROW.”  So, a parable then is “THROWING” one thing – A Vision of God’s Kingdom –and BESIDE another – The World as it is.  When  ‘a vision of God’s Kingdom’ is beside the ‘world as it is’,  anything can happen!

Furthermore, the Greek word for KINGDOM is BASILEIA which is NOT a static location, room, or place.  BASILEIA is dynamic!  It describes the arenas of God’s activity and influence.  It can translate as God’s REIGN or God’s RULE.

Therefore, the Kingdom of God is like…Seeing the World as God does!  For us as humans, it puts us in this place of the NOW – Here on earth – even as we pray…Our Father…Let your Kingdom come…But also, the NOT YET!  We live in the in-between of the Now and the Not yet!

Jesus says, “The Kingdom of God is Like…”  And, then we get these two parables…

“THROWING” A Vision of God’s Kingdom. “BESIDE” The World as it is…And, then we see what happens…

Jesus compares the Kingdom of God like seed scatter, that grows into a plant. But, we don’t know how it all happens…It just does…

Secondly, the Kingdom of God is like a mustard Seed – so tiny, lifeless, a seed that seems dead; we can walk on it and crush it, and as a tiny seed is offers us no value whatsoever.

However, when planted and nourished, it grows into this huge shrub – so large, it will give us shade and branches for the birds to build their nests.

You and I can plant the seed.  We have that capability.  But, we have no control over the seed and how it grows.  It is up to God.

The world as it is – beside a vision of God’s Kingdom…

The seed in these parables are the Word of God.  The world as it is:  You and I who are to SCATTER God’s WORD –‘Throw’ it out into the world to every place we can, ‘beside’ God’s Vision for the Kingdom.  What happens?  It is the Word of God that changes hearts!  We don’t know how it happens, it just does!

St. Paul tells in another way to the Corinth Church: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become NEW!

When our hearts are changed into the likeness of Christ, we are a new creation!  Everything about us becomes new!  No longer can we stand to hear profanity, watch or listen to violence, or tolerate cruelty.  We become open to helping others, fighting for justice, and feel compassion for the poor, the suffering, and those who are hurting.  The Word of God moves us and changes us in ways we never could have imagined!

This is the world as it is…BESIDE God’s vision for the world –

The Kingdom of God is LIKE…

Our FAITH the size of a lifeless Mustard Seed, Beside God’s Power beyond our Understanding…Deepens our Faith and Love for God that cannot be contained!

The Kingdom of God is like…You and me in the world doing the work of the Lord, Beside God’s Dynamic, Activity and Influence, Changes Hearts in ways we cannot fathom!

The Kingdom of God is LIKE…You and me in the world, full of chaos, hate, suffering, and hardships…Beside a God who loves us so much…That he sent HIS one and only son to die for us…to take our sin…We don’t know how it happened or if we can truly grasp it and understand it…

Jesus did it for you just so you can have eternal LIFE!

 

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