3 Feb. What is the 'Kingdom of God' like?
"Then Jesus said, 'How can I show you what the kingdom of God is like? What story can I use to explain it?"
"The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, the smallest seed you plant in the ground. But when planted, this seed grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants. It produces large branches, and the wild birds can make nests in its shade."
"Jesus used many stories like these to teach the crowd God's message - as much as they could understand. He always used stories to teach them. But when he and his followers were alone, Jesus explained everything to them."
(Mark 4:30-34)
In Mark chapter 4, Jesus delivered the original '3-point sermon' - 3 stories (or 'parables' - earthly stories with a heavenly message) about seeds.
We looked at 'point 1' yesterday - the parable of the seeds (in Mark 4:1-20). This told us how God spreads his kingdom on earth by sowing the 'seeds' of his word among ordinary people.
This is followed in Mark's gospel by a second story about the kingdom of God. Jesus told another 'parable' about how a seed grows day and night without the farmer doing anything more until the harvest is ready. It’s like this when God’s word is spread abroad and the Holy Spirit works in someone’s life to deepen their faith and love for God (see Mark 4:26-29).
Today's passage from Mark 4:30-34 is the '3rd point' in Jesus's sermon about 'seeds' representing the spread of God's word to establish His kingdom on earth.
In this third story about seeds, Jesus compared the effect of preaching God’s word with the planting of a mustard seed. Although it’s a tiny seed, the mustard seed produces a huge plant. In the same way, planting the word of God in someone’s heart has a huge effect on their life (see Mark 4:30-34).
So what is the 'kingdom of God' like? The kingdom of God exists anywhere on earth (or in heaven) where God's word becomes the accepted way of life and God rules in people's lives. The kingdom spreads when people hear (and receive) God's word. The kingdom of God consists of people who love God and follow his word in their daily lives.
Or, as Jesus said on another occasion, "Thy kingdom come on earth, as it is in heaven". (Luke 11:3)
You can find more about this prayer @ https://www.thebiblejourney.org/…/jesus-heals-teaches-in-j…/