Nearer the Kingdom to Thee

How does the notion that God comes to us relate to the parables of the kingdom that Jesus tells in this coming Sunday's gospel?

Could it be that Jesus is hinting that the kingdom is nearer to us than we perceive? That the small glimpses of the kingdom we get in this world somehow reveal the immensity of its impact on our world? Like a small mustard seed. Like a small pearl. And these open our eyes to the closeness of God.

So "nearer to thee" doesn't refer to us being closer and closer to God, but the other way around! God's kingdom is nearer and nearer---slowly enveloping us in its light.

So, even though I came to that title from left field, I think it's a good one. Would be better if that Jacob's ladder tie in was really a part of the day's readings--but hey, inspiration works in mysterious ways!

I'll go to work on that sermon now. And it'll be about how God comes nearer to us in Jesus Christ and the kingdom of heaven. Hope you're in church to hear it!