Listen to the gospel and sermon here.
GOSPEL: Mark 4:26-34
[Jesus] said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground,27and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.” 30He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32yet 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.” 33With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? In the 4th chapter of Mark, Jesus is in parable mode. He is fresh into his public ministry. After resisting temptation in the wilderness, Jesus wastes no time taking to the streets to heal and teach. The author of Mark’s gospel is eager to place Jesus in the public eye. Prior to today’s gospel reading Jesus has offered healings on multiple occasions, even on the Sabbath. He has dined with sinners and driven out unclean spirits. His actions have ruffled the feathers of religious leaders. His own family even raises a stink and calls him out of his mind.
As baptised Christians reading back we can appreciate Jesus who heals the paralyzed, eats with the unclean and unwanted. Jesus who speaks with authority and challenges authority. Jesus who embodies empathy and compassion for the least and the forgotten. We know who Jesus is and what he is up to. We’re privy to the entire story.
But for the crowds of Jesus’ day who gather around him, they flock with intrigue and curiosity, not really knowing what Jesus is all about. They surround him with wonder and awe. And whether they’re supportive and empowered by this new radical, challenging, inclusive dude, or they are weary, hesitant, and fearful of his influence...they flock. They gather. The surround him to see what’s going on.
In all of Jesus’ actions thus far he has shown what the kingdom of God looks like. So the people have gathered, and now Jesus will use parables to teach them what life in God’s family looks like.
With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? Jesus says, “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.
The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 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.
Now I think it’s worth emphasizing that for the majority of the crowd that has gathered, the notion of God’s kingdom is not something of which they are well versed. In fact, perhaps their best understanding of kingdom is limited to their experience with the roman empire and the jewish authorities. For them a kingdom was big and strong. It was paved walkways with pillars, large stone structures. Rome’s kingdom was fortified and strong. It was wealth and status. It was militarized and political.
And although the people surrounding Jesus may not have encountered Romans on a daily basis, they were certainly aware of Rome’s influence, persuasion, and power. The kingdom, it would seem was impenetrable and solid. It was sturdy and stable. It was not to be messed with.
And so, in the shadow of this fierce empire, the kingdom of rule at the time, Jesus unsuspectingly comes from nowhere to stir up the crowds with intrigue. And he proposes a different kingdom.
This one, God’s kingdom…is like a seed. Not just any seed. A small seed. The smallest seed, in fact. For Jesus, God’s new kingdom would be a seed sown upon the ground….oh and when it grows….it would grow into the mightiest and greatest shrub of all shrubs.
For the longest time I had this child-like sentimental understanding of the mustard seed. Jesus uses the mustard seed on several different occasions to talk about both faith and the kingdom. And Growing up I remember children's’ sermons in which the pastor would show us the small seed in a jar and talk about how this tiny seed will grow into something mighty. Something established and fruitful. As a kid I had no problem imagining such a transformation. And the connection to God working in the same was somewhat easy to see.
But as I’ve grown older something about this parable seems incredibly off. In the shadow of the mighty kingdom that people are familiar with, Jesus proposes just about the exact opposite. The mustard seed was far less than mighty, and Jesus implies that this tiny seed will yield a Kingdom...but the mustard seed doesn’t grow into a mighty tree like we might anticipate in Jesus’ parable. No, the mustard seed yields a shrub. Albeit and impressive shrub. But a shrub none-the-less
I don’t know, but it feels a bit detrimental to Jesus’ point to pitch the kingdom of the almighty God as a tiny seed the grows into a mighty shrub, doesn’t it?
With what can we compare the kingdom of God? So maybe Jesus’ illustration of the shrubby kingdom isn’t necessarily about its size and strength. Perhaps there is something specific, unique, vital even about the mustard seed that teaches a valuable lesson about the Kingdom of God.
What’s really interesting about the mustard seed isn’t necessarily its size, but its ability to grow. The plant grows fast. Out of something small the plant quickly expands beyond its initial planting. The mustard plant grows rapidly and produces thousands more seeds. And when those seeds hit the ground they germinate almost immediately. The mustard seed often spouts earlier than most seeds and requires less water than others. And something we don’t often know or think about is that in many countries the mustard plant is considered a weed. Does that throw anyone off? The kingdom of God is like a tiny weed?
We experience weeds as a nuisance. Ugly, relentless plants, vines, or greens that terrorize our gardens or yards. Despite our every effort to rid ourselves of the weeds, they always seem to grow back. Our experience with weeds make the idea of God’s kingdom being a weed a bit distasteful.
With what can we compare the kingdom of God? A small seed that grows into a weedy bush? I suspect that Jesus is actually very intentional in his usage of a mustard seed to describe the kingdom of God.
Much like a mustard seed, small and humbly planted, the breaking in of the Kingdom of God begins with Jesus. God’s salvific plan planted among us in a tiny baby boy.
And Much like a mustard seed, the kingdom of God will grow. Quickly. Rapidly. It will spread. Like an invasive and relentless weed, the kingdom of God will grow. It will grow into an impressive shrub that will produce a thousand more seeds just like it. Those too will grow. Despite our every effort to impede the progress of the kingdom, it will grow.
As a new homeowner, I have the pleasure of mowing my own yard. I recently got a lawn mower and about once a week I trek it around my yard to cut the grass. I also pull out the weed eater and edge the driveway. Sometimes I even have pull climbing vines off the side of my house. In the end it's some satisfying work.
But what drives me crazy everytime is when I back the car out of my driveway, despite how beautiful my yard may look...I always notice the daggum weeds growing between the cracks of my concrete. Between two poured concrete slabs...weeds find a way to break through. It’s obnoxious. Anybody know what I’m talking about?
What’s really remarkable about these weeds is not necessarily their ability to never die...or their perseverance to find the surface...but if left alone, these weeds have the power to put cracks in my driveway. To unsettle my foundation. They can be incredibly disruptive. Seeking life even among, through, around, and in between the hardest and darkest places. Persevering through all adversity.
And if that’s true, them maybe it isn’t much of a stretch to think about the kingdom of God as a weed. A kingdom that seeks life, especially among, through, around and in between the hardest of hearts and the darkest of places. God’s kingdom that perseveres and not only survives but sets the mark for how every seed after it is to live.
Jesus isn’t naive and uninformed. I think he knows good and well what he’s saying.
The kingdom of God is completely contrary to the kingdom of his time. The kingdom of God is not one of wealth, status and strength.
It is one of humility, equality, equity, and love.
The kingdom of God is not one of persuasion, deceitful influence, or personal ambition.
It is on one community, equity, mutuality, support, and care.
The kingdom is not fortified and impenetrable.
It is humble, open, welcoming, inclusive, and empowering.
The kingdom of God isn’t one that battles the earthy kingdoms toe to toe.
No, God’s kingdom cracks the very foundations on which our earthly kingdoms rest. Despite every effort to subdue it.
With what can we compare the kingdom of God? A small, unsuspecting, mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, and most importantly, it offers life. Like the the birds of the air making their nests in its shade...the kingdom of God is one of life.
And the good news my friends, is that it never stops growing. God’s kingdom is invasive in the best way.
It grows in all the places we wish it didn’t.
It unsettles our foundation.
It nudges us and makes us move.
It calls us to speak out against earthy kingdoms.
To fester in the cracks of powerful systems.
To always be seeking life.
Make no mistake, God’s kingdom is powerful...just not the same kind of power the world would have us to believe.
It’s the power to choose love above all else. God’s kingdom will find a way in.
And it is always for the better.
It does not, can not, and will not stop growing.
Hard as we might try to stand in its way, build on top of it, divert it, rip it apart, or ignore it.
Even on our darkest days as a humanity, the kingdom of God prevails.
With what can we compare the kingdom of God?
That’s something to think about today when you pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as is in heaven.”
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment