But when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches. Matt 13:32 (TPT)
Birds and Branches – The Seed Series – Part 6
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7
When I imagine Jesus telling this parable to his friends, I see his mouth rise in the corners, spreading into a cheeky grin. He knew that a mustard seed was not the smallest seed. He also knew that they didn’t grow into large trees, definitely not ones big enough for birds to come and sit on and build their nests. Mustard “trees” (shrubs) hardly provide shade, let alone a branch to lean on. But the hint at the impossibility, the wonder, and hope that from a small seed can come something unexpected, miraculous, larger than anything we can think of, or even dream or hope for, would be cause for our Saviour to flash a knowing grin.
Maybe what we think is the smallest seed, actually isn’t.
Maybe grandeur and beauty aren't found in a tree's size and reach.
Perhaps the smaller than small seed you have within you is just the right size for something wonderful to grow from it. And whatever grows, its grandeur is not determined by its size or physical beauty, but by the growth itself.
The miracle is the growth.
Who’s to say that the seed you have won’t grow into something truly marvellous, unexpected and miraculous? Who’s to say that what you’ve got within you to give into the world won’t grow prolifically, beyond your control, bringing healing, flavour and health to those around you?
The little birds that perch in our mustard “trees” (shrubs) are simply those that are touched by our lives. They are the people who find comfort, inspiration, purpose, hope, joy, belonging and relationship as a result of what you have sown into the soil of the world. They are the people who are helped and experience freedom and healing because of the seed you planted by faith. You know that you are fulfilling your divine purpose when it outgrows serving only you and begins to serve and reach others too. From a tiny seed only meant to grow into a weed-like shrub can bloom a tree that serves the needs of others. Miraculous.
The birds in this parable do not represent the productivity of your life, but rather the community of it. Connection, belonging, relationship. They are the people who find sustenance in what grows from you. That’s where your faith should take you. Not to the top of a manufactured production line with faith for the consumer market. But the authentic, human, and holy place of sharing and community. Doing the deep work of living in front of each other and IN each others lives.
The branches and birds in Jesus parable are the times in our lives where divine exchange takes place. They are a chance meeting with a stranger who needs what we have; a blog post that ignites passion; a song that expresses a deep heartache that’s been locked away for years; a book that inspires courage and wonder, a sermon that convicts and challenges, a tragedy that reveals a strength, heartache that unites, products that bring our bodies and lives meaning and health… and so much more.
What starts out as a tiny seed within us, and is planted in the soil of our lives by faith, grows into branches that touch our friends, family, and the world over. If only we would have the courage to sow…
Don’t look at your tiny seed and despise its smallness, or even it’s perceived result. The Kingdom of Heaven, after all, is a place where you plant what you have within, and you find yourself amazed, fulfilled and energised at what becomes of it.
And when you stand back at look at the tree that grows, you will discover new seeds, new hopes, and new dreams… and the time to plant again will surely come to pass.
Your turn… What are you perceiving as small that could in fact be large? Leave us a comment below.
Go to Part 7 – Plant Your Gift »
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