Mysterious, Marvelous
Opening Prayer
Cradle a seed in your palm as you talk to God about his plans for the seed that is you.
Read Mark 4:21-34
[21] He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? [22] For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. [23] If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” [24] “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you-and even more. [25] Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” [26] He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. [27] Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. [28] All by itself the soil produces grain-first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. [29] As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” [30] Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? [31] It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. [32] Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” [33] With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. [34] He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What do you think Jesus is saying in these parables?Consider Jesus’ keynote address: “The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). Our “response-ability” (see yesterday’s study) to respond to the good news is stressed again by Jesus (23-25). But even the disciples, who had responded in faith, would find that during much of Jesus’ ministry this kingdom boasted a very modest presence. Jesus offers two more parables, demonstrating that appearances are often deceptive and that God’s ways are both mysterious and marvelous. Kids love to take things apart and see how they work. But not everything in life can be appreciated this way. Dissecting a rose destroys it; the magic of romance evaporates if you break it down into its component parts. Once the seeds of the good news take root in receptive soil, fruitfulness will follow; God’s kingdom will flourish. We are not called to understand how this happens, only to believe it and anticipate it (26-29). “The birds of the air” (32) was an expression denoting the Gentile nations. Although they were an insignificant minority in the mighty Roman Empire, Jesus challenged his disciples to dream big as they anticipated the great fruitfulness God would bring about through humble beginnings (30-32).
Apply
What “big thing” are you praying that God would do? Be ready for God to use you to do it.
Closing prayer
Lord, I can’t always understand how You choose to work, but help me believe that You’ll do what You’ve promised.
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