Matthew 13: 31-33, Mark 4:30-32, Luke 13:18-21
The readings all record Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed. I think it is interesting people often quote these readings but insert “faith” where Jesus refers to “the kingdom of God.” Are there other passages referencing the mustard seed? The meaning to me seems a bit different. The Kingdom of God is so powerful- it is Christ dwelling within us. It can truly change the world. We can all start out with a tiny faith, and it can and will grow to something huge and powerful if we allow God to work through us. Just writing this out has led me around to seeing how the word “faith” can be used in the parable. Our faith helps the Kingdom of God to be seen on earth. If our faith is strong, people see God through us.
Lord, help me to have faith which leads others to you, to your Kingdom here on earth. May my faith grow like a huge tree, and provide shelter and comfort, not just to me, but to others who also need you. Amen
Becky, transforming
Matthew 13:31-33. Mark 4:30-32 Luke 3:18-21
Jesus didn’t speak in parables to confuse people, but to challenge them to discover the meanings of his words. Most of Jesus’s teaching were about hypocrisy and impure motives. Jesus used the mustard seed parable to show that even the smallest of any beginning will grow flourish and produce great results. Like the mustard seed, yeast holds great potential within its tiny proportions. This translation uses the word “yeast,” but the people of that time did not have pure yeast. Instead, they kept a lump of leavened dough from the last batch to leaven the next batch. John the Baptist , was a man who spoke God's Word in-spite of who you were. Hi…
Matthew 13:31-33, Mark 4:30-32, Luke 13:18-21
Reading these verses I feel I see what Jesus was referring to in regard to us and the mustard seed. As we grow and learn about our faith that little bit of knowledge is built upon, and if cultivated correctly grows into a wonderful faith in God. We build upon the knowledge of Jesus and what he has done for us. Just like in the beginning of his teaching Jesus started with a very small group and built upon that. In the same way he does the same thing today. As we learn more from the Bible our faith grows and gives us an opportunity to share this knowledge with others.
Dearest Lord help…
Well said Becky. Beautiful picture as well.
Pastor Gil has made a specific point of showing us all three synoptic Gospels record the short parable of the mustard seed. This suggests that, despite its brevity, it is tremendously significant. The point is not simply one of “slow and steady wins the race,” or the garden version of the tortoise and the hare. The message is one of hope for the future. There are many today who dismiss the importance or potential of the kingdom of God, but when it comes to fruition every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus is Lord. Our charge is simply to keep planting seeds.
Prayer - God of the increase, let me be an effective sower of seeds that will…