Smallest to Greatest

S – Mark 4: 31 -32

 

‘It is like a mustard seed which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted it grows and becomes the largest of all the garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.’

 

O – This is another parable that Jesus tells his disciples to help them grasp the insight and understanding of the Kingdom of God is like. How challenging for him to bring heavenly insight to their earthly mindsets and perspectives. He starts with the smallest and insignificant in the realm of nature – a mustard seed going into the ground. He doesn’t dwell on an explanation of science or the technical process in the germination, but the outcomes and the effect. It’s the ‘grows and becomes’ that is the important focus in its largeness and prominence. Jesus takes them in their understanding to what is insignificant at the beginning to what is of great significance and largeness in purpose. A place of nurture, protection and refuge. The tree was not significant for its beauty or fine timber but in its purpose.

 

A – I find this description of the Kingdom to be a life picture for me in my own purpose and Kingdom understanding. It becomes the picture that gives me my significance for life and service. It encourages me to walk in the ‘growing and becoming’ and not to park or stumble in the insignificant. Yes, I know my life individually is insignificant, like a small mustard seed, but I’m encouraged to focus on what I have and am becoming and what I am part of. I am a part of the largeness of the Body of Christ, to be part of the purpose, to give protection, nurture and rescue to the many that want or need to find refuge in these branches.

 

P – Lord, thank you for this great but simple picture. Thank you that you have taken me in my smallness and insignificance and made me to ‘grow and become’ a part of something great and significant - the purpose of your kingdom. Help me never lose the understanding of this picture as a reference point for my life.