WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD LIKE? (Mk 4:26-34) Jesus also said, In the Kingdom of God it is like this. A man scatters seed upon the soil. whether he is asleep or awake, be it day or night, the seed sprouts and grows, he knows not how. The soil produces of itself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when it is ripe for harvesting they take the sickle for the cutting: the time for the harvest has come. Jesus also said, What is the Kingdom of God like? To what shall we compare it? It is like a mustard seed which, when sown, is the smallest of all the seeds scattered upon the soil. But once sown, it grows up and becomes the largest of the plants in the garden and even grows branches so big that the birds of the air can take shelter in its shade. Jesus used many such stories or parables, to proclaim the word to them in a way they would be able to understand. He would not teach them without parables; but privately to His disciples He explained everything. Jesus clarifies that the Kingdom of God (Holiness) is a process of growth not an instant thing. What is growing in you, holiness or sinfulness? The Kingdom of God is like a seed sown and the seed is the Word of God sown into our hearts. That everyday in our lives we do not know how it grows, blooms to its fullest and bear much fruit of faith, virtues and good works. We do not know how but we see its effects in our lives in the lives of those who truly believes. For Jesus wants us to live heaven on earth for the kind of life we live here would also be the kind of life we will live in the next life. For how can we dream of heaven if we are not living it here in this lifetime. God works wonders in our life and we do not know how yet we see vividly the effects of it in us and in the people around us. And if our faith bloom to its fullness then we too can be like that of a mustard seed, that we cannot help but many will come to us for refuge, comfort and strength. And it is Gods grace at work in us. We do not know how yet we see the growth in us and all the believers around us. We may not be the rich in this world but we can the most blessed for we continue to receive abundantly His graces, favors and blessing too. And Jesus continue to share with us His thoughts and practical reasons to make us persevere until we reach the fullness of life. And if we continue to seek Him first, to know Him more and more and to follow Him in all His ways, then God will speak to us in every event of our lives and He will continue to make us understand life and He will teach us how to go about this life. So that when trials and hard times come, we will not be trampled down but we remain steadfast, trusting and faithful. We may not understand fully Gods plans and ways yet we trust and believe that it is all for our own good. And so let us be aware of His presence in us and strive hard to remain in Him for always.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 13:15:31 +0000