the Seeding of the Kingdom

Though you might not think it, my family’s background has been until more recent years, a farming background. All my grandparents grew up on farms in the late 1920’s and early 30’s. My maternal grandfather left school at an early age because his presence was needed at home. It is incredible to drive the roads of my new diocese and watch so much of what took large groups so much time, to be done by a single large tractor pulling a series of implements.

In this vein, I got the thinking about the comparisons that Jesus is making between (in Mark 4) seeds and the kingdom of God. First, Jesus is the planter and we are his seed scattered all over the earth. We as his Church are his planting. We are put into the soil and in the darkness of the ground, the seed dissolves and begins grow into what it was designed to be. The seed is not the goal and the end of the process but only the beginning. What grows as a plant, shrub or tree is something else from the seed. There is a transformation in life, from seed to fully mature plant.

The Christian life is no different than a seed. Even in the smallest things, there is great potential. The Church is proof of that. It started with 120 frightened people in a room who are then emboldened to go out and tell others about Jesus Christ and him raised from the dead. No programs, no budgets and no structures. One of the awesome things about the kingdom is that it is still growing, even after al this time. We have not known or seen the full extent of it yet. Therefore, we need to be aware that we need to adopt new ways of seeing and responding to the kingdom. God’s kingdom is growing and invading this world with its power and governments – kingdoms, dominions and republics. The kingdom of God is growing in the hearts of men, women and children everywhere. It cannot be stopped, overcome or overwhelmed. The full extent of the kingdom is not yet known.

If there is a comfort from the Gospel of Mark, it is that the kingdom’s growth is not dependent upon us. Although the Twelve make mistakes, and that they bumble and stumble their way through the Gospel, the kingdom and God’s rule have begun and there is nothing to prevent that. The kingdom is not about being or looking pretty. It is about shelter and security for those who need it. The kingdom is medicinal and is good for the body as well as the soul. The kingdom forces us to rethink and redefine how we understand greatness and power.

Something that we regard as completely ordinary is capable of swiftly taking over. The kingdom is not a great oak or a towering Cedar of Lebanon. It is a fast-growing weeding that will mess with our boundaries and values. It brings colour and life to desolate places and spaces. It will crowd out concerns and fears. It resists manipulation and corruptions of all kinds. It does not depend on human guile, ingenuity or even our help. We are invited to join in bringing to fruition a kingdom that is going to continue to grow until it is in its fullness. It will continue to grow even through there are those who want to up root it and burn it down and restore the natural order of things.

How do you see the kingdom? By the fruit that is produced! Love joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Galatians 5.22+23). If you have these in an increasing measure in your life the kingdom will be seen because God will cause that to happen. Let be so in Jesus’ name.

Jason+