Sunday, February 22, 2009

quote of the week: Scot McKnight on the mustard seed and the kingdom

Why does a mustard seed attract comparison to the kingdom of God? Because for Jesus the kingdom is about the ordinariness of loving God and loving others. The kingdom is as common as sparrows, as earthy as backyard bushes, as routine as breakfast coffee, and as normal as aging. He hallows the ordinary act of love, making it extraordinary. Instead of finding it in the majestic, Jesus sees God's kingdom in the mundane. The kingdom of God is the transforming presence of God in ordinary human beings who live out the Jesus Creed.

8 comments:

Martin Stickland said...

Hi Ted, just popping by to see if you are OK!

I hope life is treating you well my friend.

Love Martin

Ted M. Gossard said...

Good to hear from you, Martin. Nice to see the snow fun you folks had. We look forward to getting rid of ours over here, though I admit, it is pretty. (more like looking forward to Spring!)

preacherman said...

Great quote Ted.
I have loved reading Scot Mcnight's book.
I hope you and your family have a great week!

Crowm said...

Good quote and great book!

Ted M. Gossard said...

Preacherman.
Yes, it's certainly one to keep rereading. I'm getting more out of it this time than the other times. Same to you and yours.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Crowm,
Yes. And I look forward to starting the "40 days in the Jesus Creed" book by him starting on Ash Wednesday this week.

Betsy Lin said...

Thanks for stopping by! It has been a long while!
I like the quote. I work now in a community burdened by violence and poverty. I work at a school full of hurting kids, who hurt others. But I see God at work everyday- in the smallest of things Gods mercy and His promise reigns over this small school I am at! I remember one morning there was a full rainbow arching over our school, one little girl looked at me and said "thats Gods promise- you know that?!" What a moment. I love the idea that the act of love- is extraordinary!

Ted M. Gossard said...

Betsy Lin,

Yes, me too. And good to hear of your special work from God to these children. Good to catch up a little on what's going on in your life, and your thoughts from your blog.