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f) The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30-34)
MARK 4:30-34
30 He said, “How will we liken the Kingdom of God? Or with what parable will we illustrate it? 31 It’s like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, though it is less than all the seeds that are on the earth, 32 yet when it is sown, grows up, and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow.” 33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. 34 Without a parable he didn’t speak to them; but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.
The spiritual kingdom of God is the greatest power in this and the other world, for the will of the Holy One flows in it, and the stream of his Spirit directly emanates from him, creating, arranging, and refreshing new life in the midst of death, as has happened since the beginning of creation. No evil power can overthrow the kingdom of God, for this kingdom consists of an everlasting spiritual life. It is not built on earthly powers, or destructive hatred. The atmosphere of this kingdom is joy, self-denial, and straightforwardness in the divine power. There is nothing in our world more beautiful than the presence of God in the hearts of men.
Jesus was a man filled with the Spirit of God. He was the beginning of the kingdom of God on earth. He did not look up to famous leaders and generals, and intelligent philosophers, for they died without knowing him who was born of the Spirit. When the divine King was betrayed into their hands, they killed his body with contempt. But his spiritual kingdom spread with great power, for the Spirit of Christ can never die. He is the mystery and the essence of his kingdom.
He compared his kingdom to a mustard seed, one of the least of all seeds, which can hardly be seen. But when sown it grows until it becomes a great tree, bearing leaves and fruit, and allowing the birds of the air to shelter under its leaves.
Today, the branches of the kingdom of God have spread to all nations, offering all people hope, help, and salvation. Not only the branches and leaves, i.e. believers, enjoy the blessings of this kingdom, but also other creatures outside this large tree derive help and good fruits from it, as different cultures, philosophies, and parties derive benefit from Christ and are affected by his teachings, without following him. These may be compared not to the original branches of the large tree, but to the birds, which only temporarily rest under its shade. Are you like a bird, which shades itself under the large tree of God, and then flies away, or have you become a branch in this spiritual tree, bearing fruit?
PRAYER: O Father, we thank you because you planted the large tree of your love in our dry, wicked land, forgave our sins, and made us blooming branches in this great tree. Establish us in your Son that we may bear today the fruit of his Spirit, and not resemble the birds, which seek help for a moment and then fly away and leave you. Amen.
QUESTION:
- Why is the kingdom of God greater than all doctrines?