the 3rd sunday after pentecost
the PRAYER …
O God, you are the tree of life, offering shelter to all the world. Graft us into yourself and nurture our growth, that we may bear your truth and love to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
the READING …
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.” mark 4:26-34
the DEVOTION …
I listened to a sermon, the other day. Onlne. Based on “The Parable of the Mustard Seed.” Smallest of all seeds. Greatest of all shrubs. Birds nesting in its shade. But what struck me was the assumption the preacher made …
Mark, simply, says that the seed was sown. Passive voice. No sower mentioned. But the preacher’s assumption was that the sower is us! Our work in the world! Our planting the gospel! Our bringing the kingdom! Now, that’s, certainly, one way of looking at it. Especially from the vantagepoint of the pulpit! But why is it that we never assume the sower is Jesus? Or the Spirit? Or the Father? Seems to me, that’s where the kingdom of god should always begin! Not with us, but with god!