The smallest of all the seeds

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The Kingdom of Jesus

The Porter's Gate, Jon Guerra, Sandra McCracken

Today is Friday the 30th of January, in the 3rd week of Ordinary Time.

Jon Guerra and Sandra McCracken with The Porter’s Gate sing, ‘The Kingdom of Jesus’. As you listen, is there a particular phrase or image within the song that stands out to you?

To what shall we compare the Kingdom of Jesus if not a seed?

It's small, it's sown, it's tended and grown and it's stirred in you and me

Its branches never break and its fruit never withers

His Kingdom is not of this world or of any

Kingdom whose ruler's face is on a penny

He comes to make all things bright and put a new wine in us

He's chosen the small things to outlast the great

The meek and the merciful to shine through the hate

Though it seems some days that Hell and its gates are prevailing

Oh, say can you see the kingdom within us

Is the Kingdom of Jesus?

To what shall we compare the spirit of the hour if not a sword?

It frees us, unites us, enslaves and divides us and violence, help us Lord

His Kingdom is not of this world or of any

Kingdom whose ruler's face is on a penny

He comes to make all things bright and put a new wine in us

He's chosen the small things to outlast the great

The meek and the merciful to shine through the hate

Though it seems some days that Hell and its gates are prevailing

Oh say can't you see we have one allegiance?

It's to the Kingdom of Jesus

He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world

He who is in us is greater and He's overcome the world

Oh His Kingdom is not one of slander or rage

But one that is ruled by the Lamb who was slain

And is worthy of wisdom and honour and glory and strength

No pain, no division, no public disgrace

Will compare with seeing the smile on His face

As He welcomes the poor as children with places at the table

Not a death, nor threat, nor power can ever separate us

From the love of God forever in Christ Jesus

Everything shall pass away but not the Word that's within us

It's the Kingdom of Jesus

3:39

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.

Mark 4:26-34

[Jesus] 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.’

He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 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.’

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

5:45

Psalm 1

Dan Carollo

We hear today about the “Kingdom of God”. Perhaps you might have heard this phrase so many times it has become almost like a catchphrase of sorts. But spend some time going a little deeper today. What is most drawing you to the Kingdom of God in this moment?

The two stories both talk about the astonishing process of growth - something that was perhaps more familiar to Jesus and his audience than it is to us. What is the point that these two stories make, do you think?

Now listen to the passage again. Ask yourself, “Is Jesus challenging me to do something here? What does he want me to do? Am I willing to do it?”

8:32

Mark 4:26-34

[Jesus] 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.’

He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 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.’

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

10:22

Finally, sum up all that you have felt and thought in the last few minutes and offer it as a prayer to God the Father, or to Jesus, or to the Holy Spirit.

12:09

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen