With what can we compare the kingdom of God…It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs…” vss. 30-32
Mark 4:30-34
When Jesus came into Galilee he proclaimed that the kingdom of God was at hand, and he then devoted his teaching to describing the nature of that kingdom and how its power was being unleashed. The kingdom wasn’t a power that you could look at and say “there it is!” The reality of its presence was far subtler than that. Jesus found that the best descriptions were conveyed through parables, short stories that used metaphor to make their point. Here he likely held up a mustard seed to the crowd and then compared it to the kingdom. It might seem like nothing, he tells them, but when it grows it becomes a mighty shrub, one that is a nesting place for the birds of the air. We’ve seen how those things which seem insignificant can have a huge and beneficial influence. And that’s how God’s rule works. It might be a glance, a touch, or a kind smile, but a tiny gesture can change a person’s day and maybe even their life. One passionate giver can release a tsunami of giving. One believer can infect a congregation and soon thousands join a movement. Some call this “the power of one!” It’s a kingdom principle, and Jesus showed it to be true!
Thought for the Day: How have little things changed my life?
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