Hello, I’m Daniel Westfall on the channel “Pray With Me”.

In the kingdom of America, Donald Trump, the king-in-waiting, is choosing staff and announcing policies. In Mark 4, Jesus, when he was the king-in-waiting of the kingdom of God,  gave hints about his policy and practices.  

Jesus asks a question:  “If you want light in your house, do you hide your lamp under a basket?” (Mark 4:21). The answer is obvious, but Jesus applied this image in a surprising way when he said, “What’s hidden will be disclosed, and what’s concealed will be seen by everyone” (Mark 4:22). Hmmm. Do you think I want my hidden stuff displayed in public? 

Then Jesus told how things are measured in the kingdom of God. He said, “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Mark 4:24). I’ve seen that: stinginess begets stinginess, generosity begets generosity. But Jesus continued, “Whoever has, will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them” (Mark 4:24). Sounds like the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Isn’t that a bad thing? 

The next story says the kingdom of God is like wheat seeds scattered on the ground. The farmer ignores the field while day and night the grain grows into a harvest (Mark 4:26-29). I wish my investments grew with that little worry or attention.

Jesus also compared the kingdom of heaven to a tiny mustard seed that grows into a plant large enough to welcome birds (Mark 4:30-32). 

Four stories and four hints about the kingdom of God. I make four observations. 

First, the kingdom of God is like a lamp. If you hide stuff, watch out. Whatever is hidden will be out in the open for all to see. 

Second, with the measure you use it will be measured to you. The kingdom of God rewards generosity. If you give Christ full access to your life, his kingdom will come in full measure. If you’re stingy about giving God access, you will lose out. 

Third, the grain grows while the farmer sleeps. You’re not in control of how God’s kingdom grows in your life. You must receive God’s word, his seed, and wait while he waters and cultivates. 

Fourth, like the tiny mustard seed, the kingdom of God in your life has way more potential than you could ever imagine. 

Let’s pray. 

Our father, though we find Jesus’ stories obscure, we thank you for the hints he gives us about how your kingdom will come in our lives, in our church, and in the world. 

Help us receive the kingdom you offer.  
– We invite your light to shine, even in the dark where we hide. 
– We invite your kingdom to come in full measure.
– We invite your seed to grow without our help and supervision. 
– Though your seed is vanishingly small, we invite it to grow until it dominates our lives. 

We pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  

Amen. 

I’m Daniel, on the channel “Pray with Me”.  

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