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Reading through the Gospels 84

Mark 4:30-34; Matthew 13:31-35; Luke 13:18-21

 

THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED

Mark 4:30-34; Matthew 13:31-35; Luke 13:18-21

Jesus tells another parable, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."

 

This parable is not to be confused with Matthew 17:20, "He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, …"  This is not a parable about our personal, individual faith blossoming (even with a small amount of faith much can happen), but Jesus specifically compares the "Kingdom of God" to a mustard seed.  We may feel alone in our faith, but in reality we should have faith that the Kingdom of God, that is the believers, will grow large. The kingdom of God may appear small in number, in power, in ability, in strength, and by worldly measurement standards. In God's measurements and ability to know all, His kingdom is joined together large enough with branches that provide support and shade for others. The example of the birds nesting gives comparison of the large size, large enough to be a tree. We see in Matthew's version the extra words "and becomes a tree." John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." The Church started with one man, Jesus (who is also God), and will grow into something much larger. We pray together, as taught in the Lord's prayer, "Thy kingdom come." Let's gossip the Gospel! Even if I feel alone in the endeavor to spread the Gospel, in reality I am not. God's kingdom is going to come whether or not we pray for it to come, but we pray that it would come to us also.

 

Jesus told them parables, "as they were able to hear it." Everyone can listen, but not everyone can hear and understand. We can all hear the same sermon, but gain different insights from the sermon, usually based upon our personal circumstances. He only spoke parables to the people in public, but in private afterwards He explained them to His disciples. The disciples were ready to hear and understand because of their deep relationship with Jesus.

Copyright Cheryl Rutledge-Brennecke
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