June 13 – Mark

MARK 4:26-34

This morning we again find Jesus speaking in parables.    Literally, the word parable means a riddle, and most often they raise more questions than they answer. They take familiar items, characters and situations, and tell us something about them that, usually, turns our customary way of thinking on its head.  My guess is that is what Jesus wanted to do.  There is something to be said for thinking about something, turning it over and over in our mind and contemplating its’ deep meaning.  Often, we wish we could understand each and every one of Jesus’ parables with absolute clarity. We want the parables to make sense in terms that apply to our lives in today’s world, and the parable of the mustard seed is no exception

Each day I realize how blessed I am to be back living in beautiful Perry County.  I especially love this time of year, the fields are green, with the miracle of the new plants pushing through the ground for miles and miles around me.  It never ceases to amaze me.  Isn’t it amazing how each seed produces a blade of green that peeks up through the earth?  We don’t even need to understand the biological functions of how the seed sprouts and grows.  We just need to plant the seed in the right conditions, and the seed grows all by itself.

In eastern culture the mustard seed symbolizes something that is very small and thus, insignificant.  Just as we do today, the Jewish Rabbis back then used the mustard seed as a figure of speech.  I am sure you have heard someone say, “It is as small as a mustard seed.”  Yet, we can’t forget that great things can come in a small package, and this is exactly where Jesus was going with the idea of the mustard seed.

The humble mustard seed, the smallest of seeds, can grow into something great.  In fact, this seed so tiny that 1000 of them can fit in a thimble, can grow a plant that if 4 ft. high, and with proper care and watering, it can grow as tall as 10 to 15 feet.  Yes, appearances can be very deceiving!

My guess is that Jesus liked to use the analogy of the mustard seed because it is a seed that has a great potential.  We also know the parable of the mustard seed is an important parable as it appears in three of the four Gospels.

The mustard seed is also a good analogy of Jesus’ own humble beginnings.  Just like the microscopic mustard seed, Jesus had a small beginning, born of humble parents in a stable.  Yet, the message He brought was so big that it changed each of our lives forever, for Jesus’ message of love and the victory of the cross brought those who believe, eternal life.

When most of us hear this parable, we think of our own faith; for it is often referred to as being like a mustard seed.  Once the little seed of faith has been planted in us, it can grow exponentially over time, stronger and stronger as we continue to hear, read and ponder God’s word.    This is a good interpretation of the parable and one of the intended messages, but it also has additional connotations.

Let’s listen to Jesus’ words again.  Again, he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 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.”

Jesus was really saying that the kingdom of heaven is already here.  The seed of God’s kingdom had already been planted, and despite its small beginnings would grow to great size.  The kingdom of God grows by an invisible power.

All of us are indeed living in the kingdom right now, and eternal life is not something that will come when we die, but we are living eternal life right now, if we accept Jesus as our Savior.

Jesus was telling the disciples that the kingdom of God was like the mustard seed, tiny and often overlooked.  During Jesus time, many though that the kingdom Jesus was talked about was nothing.  Yet, the growth of the first century church confirmed the truth of Jesus parable.  Acts 2:41 tells us that “those who accepted (Peters) message were baptized, and about 3000 were added to their numbers that day.  Today, we also see the growth and influence of the kingdom in lives and believers around the world.  Yep, Jesus was saying that the tiny Christian Church that would begin with the fearful disciples hiding from the authorities behind locked doors, would eventually grow to billions of people who would find their hope in what Christ had done for them on the cross.

At about this point you may be asking yourself, yes, but what does all of this have to do with me or Christ Lutheran?  In the end, the parable of the mustard seed has a lot to do with us.  We, as Disciples of Christ, as His church, have started a new way of thinking and being in our community.  The seed of change has been planted, and like all seeds, at first its growth is imperceptible.  The seed of following what God wants us to do, of serving others in our community and showing them God’s love is already taking root.  Like any seed, growth is gradual, and growth at Christ Lutheran will be gradual too.

It is our job as Disciples of Christ to continue His work, and plant as many seeds for Him as we can.  Passing on His love and serving others without expecting anything in return is our part in growing God’s kingdom.  We should not judge our labors in the name of Jesus by our own perspective or by appearance.  For many seeds take a great deal of time to start to germinate.  The seeds we plant may not actually grow into plants and bear fruit until a time far in the future.  That does not mean we are failing at our work, for God does everything in God’s time.  So, don’t be discouraged!  Keep inviting people to church and church events.  Keep praying for and serving those in the community around us.  Eventually one of the seeds we plant will germinate and grow.

As we leave here this Sunday, let us thank God for the fruits of the land, and most of all for the seed of His Word.  Let it grow bigger and bigger until the harvest comes.  Let us marvel at the work that God does in us and through us.  For salvation is totally God’s work!  May we go forth and help God plant more seeds so that He can bring new life to those we share them with.  As beloved children of God, it is good to be part of God’s mustard plant.

Let us praise God for the mysterious power His Word has to grow our faith, and the power it has to bring salvation and new life to others.  May the seed of peace take root in every nation, and may true peace grow on the face of the earth.

Amen