In our Sunday series we are studying the life of Christ, focusing on events and teachings that are repeated in 3 or 4 of the Gospels. This past week, we looked at the parables of Mark 4. In many ways, the questions that are raised in chapters 1-3 are answered in the account of Jesus calming the storm. Rather than choosing the theologically astute or the ethically astute or the politically astute, Jesus chooses what amounts to social rejects-common people, women, untouchables, marginalized, sinners, outcasts, and the used. He even chooses betrayers. Instead of creating a hierarchy of power and influence, He invites everyone to be His family.

What is He thinking!?!?!?

And then Mark 4 tells us four parables. The parable of the sower speaks of the various responses to Jesus. The parable of the lamp speaks of the public nature of those responses. The parable of the growing seed speaks of the mystery inherent in 'producing a crop.' And finally the parable of the mustard seed speaks of God's powerful ability to take the most insignificant offering to Him and make into an unavoidable part of the landscape.

The story of Jesus calming the storm is the linchpin that ties these introductory chapters together. In the midst of uncertainty Jesus rebukes the disciples-not because of lack of knowledge, not because of weakness, not because of their own inabilities-he rebukes them for their lack of faith.

Jesus did not choose the people who thought they should be chosen by the Messiah because those people relied on their own good works and righteousness for a standing before God. But Jesus did not come for the healthy, He came for the sick. And so it is the undesirables that Jesus invites into His family because it is exactly these people who cannot trust in themselves. They have nowhere else to place their faith than in Jesus. God doesn't need our experience or knowledge or ability. He wants our faith!

Faith is a good soil to produce a crop from. Faith shines. Faith inherently includes mystery. Yet, God can take that little tiny piece of faith in our life and grow it into a beautiful tree. Faith always points people to the object of faith. Faith in Jesus always points people to Jesus.

And so, the new followers of this new kingdom are not chosen based on the same standards of this world. They are chosen and will be given responsibility in this Kingdom based upon their degree of faith. The more they have, the more they will be given. If they snub faith, even what they have will be taken from them.

How is God challenging you to trust in Him? Why are you so afraid? Where is your faith?

Weekly Devotional Schedule

Mon-Matthew 8:18-27

Tue-Matthew 12:46-50

Wed-Matthew 13:1-23

Thur-Matthew 13:31-35

Fri-Luke 8:4-18

Sat-Luke 8:18-25

2 comment(s) for “Chosen for the Kingdom”

• 1. Anonymous on Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 1:10 PM

  Can you please define "faith" as you've used it above? It all sounds good, but I'm having trouble identifying what faith actually is. How can I get faith? How can I find it?

• 2. Pastor Russell on Monday, October 13, 2008 at 10:55 AM

  Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what people throughout scripture (and church history) have been commended for. Apart from faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. That is the definition that Hebrews 11 gives us and I certainly can't improve on that :)
  
  Often times, faith, believe, and trust are used synonymously. This is not unwarranted. Faith is the noun that describes the verb of believe (and, thus, the noun belief is also synonymous with faith). Trust is the natural and inevitable outcome of faith that believes.
  
  Scripture often talks of people who believe in or place their trust in other things or people. These ultimately are other gods in our lives.
  
  So, technically, you don't get or find faith - you already have it. Perhaps a better question would be, what or who have you placed your faith in? Or, to bring us back to Hebrews 11, what (or who) is the most certain hope in your life and what (or who) do you trust despite a lack of empirical certainty?