Again he said,
"What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?
It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.
Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade."
Mark 4:30-32 NIV
Well I wish Jesus had explained this one for us!
Is this in the world, is the tree the church?
Is it inside, in the heart?
Who plants the seed?
Who are the birds?
What are they sheltering from?
Jesus listeners wanted political and physical revolution and power to be restored. A kingdom.
But Jesus often said it's a heart thing, so let's start there.
If our heart is like a garden, the seed, the seed of the kingdom, is small.
So small it could be missed, lost, trampled or discarded
It doesn't take over by force, but is planted, and slowly grows, to be the most important plant in the garden.
A tree.
With big branches.
A tree that provides shelter.
Is that the kingdom inside me?
#gospelofmark
#wordsofJesus
#somethingtochewon
...four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus... Mark 2:3-4 NLT Great account of inventiveness and determination to get their friend to see Jesus. Love this. Do you wonder about the back story? Are these the same 4 people who bring this man food? Take him to the toilet every day. Clean him up. Does he live with one of them? Are they family? Are there whole families or groups of people in the background who have supported and cared for this man? A group of children who grew up seeing their parents love in action? Probably. Healing Help Hope These things are found in community. These 4 guys are the heroes here. The upfront people. One day it will be interesting to see who the background heroes are. #loveinaction #community #inthistogether #walkingeachotherhome #gospelofmark
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