Mark 4

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Mark 4:30-32, Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.  Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

In this chapter, Jesus begins to tell stories, what we call parables, about the Kingdom of God.  What is the Kingdom life all about?  One example is that it’s like a mustard seed.  Mustard is an ancient condiment, and mustard seeds were very common in Jesus’ day.  The listeners would have been familiar with these little seeds; they were the smallest of all the garden seeds available in Palestine during the time of Jesus.  But even though they were small, these seeds could grow into a really big bush or tree. Interestingly, it was actually against the law to plant these seeds in a public garden because they would literally take over and choke out the other plants.  Something so little, almost invisible really, could become something that took over the whole garden.

What can we learn from this mustard seed?

God’s economy is different.  In the world, our default setting if you will, big things are valued – big money, big jobs, big cars, big houses, big, flashy, noticeable - these are all things that indicate power, prestige, control. God’s Kingdom says it’s okay for things to be small.  Small, seemingly insignificant things can make a huge difference. Mustard seeds, yeast, loaves & fishes, a random act of kindness, a kind or encouraging word, spending time with God in prayer, offering a prayer over someone else, the widow’s mite, a humble life lived with integrity, sharing our faith story with someone, or our willingness to serve others.  Small things that all can yield huge results for God’s Kingdom.  Our daily prayers can yield huge, miraculous results. Tithing, even when we don’t make much money, makes a difference; God can take it and multiply it many times for his Kingdom.  What we think is small, God can make big.  God’s economy is different. 

God does the work but human action is required.  In many of Jesus’ parables, there is human action that is part of the growth.  The seed must be planted in the ground and probably watered too. Although God could accomplish this growth on his own, he asks us to invest part of ourselves in his work.  Then, God honors our obedience, he honors our effort, our willingness, and our faith, no matter how small and insignificant we think it is AND he grows it exponentially.  The Kingdom of God demands our action.  It means not waiting for someone else to do something.  It means not rationalizing that we are too young, too old, too tired, or you have already done enough.  If we aren’t dead, we aren’t done.  We don’t retire from a life following Jesus. Rather, we partner with God to grow his Kingdom on earth, to actively work to make this world the way God always intended it to be. 

Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, Help us be part of building your Kingdom.  Take my small contribution and multiply it many times.  More of you and less of me.  Amen.