Scripture: Mark 4:27 – “…and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how.” (NRSV)
Jesus taught us that prayer is not about being eloquent or poetic, but through expressing simple desires, reminding us that God will take care of what we really need. Among these basic desires is that the Kingdom of God would come. Our longing for the kingdom represents our dissatisfaction with the we the world works. We pray that we could live in a world where God’s will and hopes were just as present to us as they would be in heaven.
However, as such a longing would indicate, we often feel like the kingdom is very far from us. But at the beginning of his ministry, Jesus taught us not to despair. He said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
Jesus’ good news contrasts with the troubling news we see all around us. We find it hard to believe that the kingdom is here, if we could only see it. We wish we could do something about, but it feels like we can’t. But in another parable, Jesus describes the kingdom as being like a man who planted seeds and the went to sleep. The man has no idea how the seeds will grow or when of even if they might spring up, but when they do, he is ready for the harvest.
When we believe in Jesus, when we trust that the Kingdom of God is really among us, it is like planting a small seed. We have not idea when that seed might grow, but we are ready for it. We are ready with every news story that makes us sad or angry. Because we know the good news is already here, and whenever we feel overwhelmed, we know it is the only news we need.
Prayer – Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For this is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
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