(Mark 4:30-41)
30 And He was saying, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is the smallest of all the seeds that are upon the soil, 32 yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants, and forms large branches, with the result that the birds of the sky can nest under its shade.”
33 And with many such parables He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to understand it; 34 and He did not speak to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.
33 And with many such parables He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to understand it; 34 and He did not speak to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.
TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:
In that area of Galilee, the mustard seed was their smallest seed, and there, it would grow into a tree that was ten to fifteen feet high. In God's love, He wants a personal relationship with all people, but it must be each person's decision. As one person becomes a believer, with the Lord's help, they share God's love and message of hope to others. Others become believers, and they also share God's love and message of hope... and so on and so on. Of course, our work is tiny, in comparison to the work of the Lord! And His kingdom might seem to have begun in obscurity, but it will culminate in glory.
As to our part in all of this, as believers, all we need is a willing heart. And we can see from Jesus' perfect example of how He taught... people came to Him, and He would share "just enough". And then to His disciples, Jesus would teach them in-depth details. Because our faith is a journey in a personal relationship with the Lord, we know that we do not know everything. But in our desire to know the Lord more and more, we will continue learning and growing - because it is the Lord's indwelling Holy Spirit within us that is helping us and guiding us!
Therefore, God's kingdom is not just numerical, but it is individual growth as well. But in our individual growth, we will have a part in sowing those seeds which will have a part in numerical growth. And in mentoring and encouraging others, we will have a part in sowing those seeds of truth which will have a part in the spiritual growth of other believers. Yet, it is still all the Lord's doing, and all to His glory! So, while our part is seemingly so extremely tiny, it pleases the Lord, as it is part of His supernaturally large and extremely great and loving purpose!
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