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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR – MARCH 4, 2012
Session Text: Mark 4:26-34
Session Title: The Seed
Thinking Out Loud
mustard seeds
In today’s passage, Jesus tells two parables about growing seeds. First, he describes a farmer who plants a seed. He then waits patiently as the seed grows on its own: the result of God’s providence and not his own eager concern. Next, he tells of a tiny mustard seed that grows into an impressive shrub where birds can nest.
These two brief parables can be read in a number of ways. Jesus may be drawing a contrast between humble beginnings and great endings. He may be saying something about God working in secret to bring about the kingdom. The point may be that there are some things for which we can only rely on God.
Regardless of the specific point of these parables–and there is probably more than one–they both offer lessons about the relationship between human action and divine action in bringing forth the kingdom.
What is our place in building God’s kingdom on earth? How can we fulfill our part in a humble way?
About the Editor
Darrell Pursiful is the editor of Formations. He is an adjunct professor at Mercer University and an active member of the First Baptist Church of Christ in Macon, Georgia.
Scripture
Session Text: Mark 4:26-34
Session Title: The Seed
26 He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, 27 and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28 The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”
30 He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32 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.”
33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34 he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
