Proper 6: Gospel, Mark 4:26-34                                                   

Mark 4:26-34

The Kingdom of God is among my favorite subjects in the Bible. I think it is because it encompassses absolutely everything that God has done or ever will do. Because … because He is the King.

Jesus explains about His Kingdom on several occasions and He uses storytelling in the framework of what the Bible calls parables. In graduate school the professors always said, “look for that one pivotal point when studying the parables.” That is good advice. But in the years since seminary, and there have been a bunch, I have modified my approach to the parables a bit. Jesus is a master storyteller. He loves to do it. And you can bet there is a point (sometimes more than one) that He wants us to get. And one way or the other, He’s gonna make it plain. Even if it takes a private round of interpretation, (4:34).

Parables are for making things plain in the end. It may take “turning a shovel” or two. But the effort is always worth it. Jesus uses two parables in our reading today. Scattered seeds and a mustard plant. 

Jesus rules in His Kingdom. That is always a pertinent point in such discussions. But here the issue is those over whom He rules. He always wants it to be more. The King isn’t nervous over it. He just loves a lot. And He wants more to experience that love and grow to know and love Him in the process.

Whether it’s a harvest at the close of the age, or a big leafy plant that makes a home for the birds, the picture is that there is always room for one more. So we pray:

“Your Kingdom come.” Come indeed. To as many as will enter. After all, the King probably has more great stories to tell.