Sowing the Kingdom

The Call to Discipleship in The Gospel of Mark, Day 22

He 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. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’  Mark 4:26-29

When there are wars and rumors of wars, where do we turn? With Russia in Crimea threatening the Ukrainian's new government. With US soldiers still in Afghanistan, where an agreement for withdrawal is a long way off. Where drone attacks still take out Al Queada operatives and civilians. Where people are struggling for human rights in the midst of violence in Syria, Venezuela, Burma and the Sudan.    

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 earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’  Mark 4:26-29

When hate is lodge so deeply in our hearts and culture....  In Arizona and many other states where they have codified into law discrimination against Gay, Lesbian, and transgender people - where they can legally be discriminated against in jobs and housing and the rights to be a family. Where in Arizona a bill was vetoed that would have allowed religious rights of a group of people be seen as normative, not even considering that GLBT folk are also religious.  

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 earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’  Mark 4:26-29

Where hate is lodge so deeply in our hearts and culture... that in Florida you can shoot a kid for playing his music too loud (seriously he's a teenager). Or where you can shoot a kid walking home from the store where he bought a bag of skittles. Where stand your ground does not work as a defense for a woman who fires warning shots at here abusive husband and is sent away to prison for years because it wasn't self defense....

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 earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’  Mark 4:26-29

Where children go to bed hungry. Where parents work 40 hours a week and don't have enough money to feed their children. Where housing is expensive and full. Where politicians have cut money from food stamps and food pantries are unable to make up the need.  

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 earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’  Mark 4:26-29

The seed sprouts and grows even where we don't understand. Come, Lord Jesus, spread your seed, sowing love and hope in a hearts where hope seems hopeless.  

Healing House
God be gracious to us ...