1 Samuel 15:34-16:13
Psalm 20
2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17
Mark 4:26-34

Jesus said, “the kingdom of God is ‘as if’ . . . it is ‘like’.” Jesus did not tell the crowd what the kingdom of God IS, rather he used metaphors and parables to explain the kingdom of God. Then, after the people had left, he explained EVERYTHING in private to his disciples. In the early days of Christianity, some used passages such as this as proof that some people were among the elect. They had special knowledge that others did not share – a knowledge that would guarantee their admission into the kingdom. There are people today who also use various passages of the bible to restrict admission to God’s kingdom to those who believe a certain way.

Whereas we have gathered together this morning to publicly profess our faith, faith is a deeply personal matter. We can read this passage two ways: “With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them [the crowd] except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.” Or we can read it, “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.” Do you hear the difference?

If we emphasize that Jesus only spoke to the crowd in parables, but explained EVERYTHING to the disciples, we are left wondering why Jesus did not explain everything to everyone. But if we emphasize that Jesus spoke the word, “as they were ABLE to hear it,” and explained all to the disciples in PRIVATE, then we are left with a view of Christ as one who speaks to all of us AND each of us. God speaks to us in ways that we are able to hear, able to understand. The disciplines were with him day and night, they were able to hear and understand more so Jesus spoke with them, too, as they were able to hear. We too, are gathered today to hear as we are able – then after we leave, the Lord will continue to share his word with us in private as we pray and reflect.

Let’s look at the first image of the kingdom. “The kingdom of God is as if someone scattered seed on the ground,” the seeds sprout while he is sleeping – it does not matter if he understands horticulture or not – it happens. “The earth produces of itself.” We have gathered to learn about God this morning. Some of us have studied the Bible more than others. Many are in EFM, many have graduated from this four year study of the bible, theology and church history. Some of us have even graduated from seminary – but our understanding of the word does not make us part of the elect who will be allowed into the kingdom – no, it is God’s love for us, working through us, that will bring about the kingdom.

The second image, the image of the kingdom of God as a mustard seed helps bring Jesus’ meaning into sharper focus. Here Jesus points out that the smallest of all seeds known to the people of Israel – the mustard seed, produces an enormous bush – “the greatest among shrubs.” A plant large enough for birds to nest in it. The kingdom of God is not limited to those with the greatest faith or understanding, for like the mustard seed, God can help us grow in faith until we, too, are capable of providing needed shelter for God’s creatures.

These images of the kingdom are far from one in which admission is restricted. These are images of the power of God – a God who builds on whatever we have to offer.

Today’s Old Testament reading from 1 Samuel, tells us the story of Samuel anointing David to become king of Israel. The Lord is displeased with Saul as King and tells Samuel, a faithful prophet of Israel, to go to the house of Jesse and anoint one of his sons to be king over Israel. As the sons of Jesse are brought before him, Samuel sees Eliab and is convinced he is the one. He is a big man; he looks like a king. But the Lord says to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” God is not concerned with outward appearance, but with the heart. So it is with all of the sons that Jesse brings before Samuel. The Lord rejects each of them; Samuel has to ask – “are these all of your sons?” David is the youngest, the least likely to be chosen so he is the one left in the field with the sheep. Jesse has to send for him. It is David the Lord has chosen – why? Because the Lord knows what is in David’s heart. It is David who is able to unite Israel. It is David who is able to build a mighty kingdom.

Yes, we know that David was a sinful man – we know from reading on in our Bibles that much of what he did as king was not what we think of as God’s will – but that isn’t the point. The point is that the kingdom of God “is like”, it is “as if”. The smallest seed can be used by God to become the greatest of all plants. Remember, it is David who, as a young boy, is able to defeat Goliath – a giant of a man whose sight strikes fear in the hearts of Israel’s seasoned warriors.

God’s purpose is being worked out – whether or not we see it. As Paul says to the Corinthians, “we walk by faith, not by sight.” Paul goes on to say, “For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all.” We know that the one who died for all is Jesus, the most unlikely of all to be a messiah – a child born in a lowly manger, a peaceful man – not the warrior the people of Israel expected to lead the revoke that would return the people to power. Paul continues: “he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them [Christ]. From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” Paul is making the point that like the seeds someone has sown – Christ transforms us into a new creation. We need not have much faith for this to happen, for the mustard seed is the tiniest of all seeds and produces the greatest of all shrubs. God’s purpose, God’s kingdom is being worked out through us. We are gathered here today to hear as we are able. We need only to receive the smallest of seeds for Christ to help us to grow in faith and in thanksgiving – to live not for ourselves, but for Christ. To live for Christ is to live for others – to feed the hungry and offer shelter to the least among us. Small acts of charity can yield tremendous benefits, for our God is a great and powerful God.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen