It is like...

Chapter 4 brings us a string of stories that are an attempt to describe the kingdom of God. Simple little everyday stories that point to the bigger story. In our reductionist, logic-driven culture we do not respond well to these types of stories. We want the answer and we want it now. But Jesus prefers to tell stories in a way that a moment later or a day later or a decade later, we have the "aha" moment. So that is what he meant.

So how does a hidden light, a planted seed, and the smallest seed illustrate the kingdom of God? What do these separate and unrelated events have to do with each other. if anything?

One common these seems to be one of perceived insignificance. The lamp is hidden, the seed is buried and forgotten, and the mustard is tiny, barely visible. So how does the kingdom look like these? Is this simply a historical relevance? Does this portion only have to do with the time and place of Jesus? Does this perception of "smallness" have any relevance today?

And what of the idea that the growth takes place, but those around it don't know how it happens, only that it does happen. How is the kingdom explained by the revelation of things that were intended to be hidden? The plant grows of its own accord and no one knows how that happens. We only see the results, the revelation? The mustard seed is so tiny, but grows so large that it is the nesting place in the garden. The kingdom is explained somehow with revelation.

The final scope of this is the expansion of light and plant and flowering tree. From tiny to large, from hidden to revealed, from insignificance to majesty. How does all this explain the kingdom?

God, show us the kingdom as you see it. We know better than to ask for understanding, we are asking for perception, to see.

Don