…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 (NKJV)
Branches – Parables Series 3 – Part 7
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6
(OR go to Parable Series 1 or Parable Series 2)
When I read this parable, I can almost see Jesus telling it with a cheeky smile on his face. 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 large enough for birds to come and sit on its branches 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 some 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.
Who's to say that the gift you’ve been given will only grow to a certain height? 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 out and into the world won’t grow prolifically, beyond your control, bringing healing, flavour and health to those who find themselves walking beside it?
This parable isn’t about small faith or large faith; it’s not about having a worldwide impact or impressive branches of success. It’s simply about growth. The growth of a seed sown in faith that something wonderful that looks a little like destiny will come of it. It’s the journey of growth that starts within us and extends to others.
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. You know that you are fulfilling your divine purpose when it outgrows serving you to serving and reaching out to others. From a tiny seed only meant to grow into a weed-like shrub can bloom a tree that serves the needs others.
Don’t get thinking that I’m talking about productivity. Your lives are meant to be so much more than just productive. Your value does not lie solely in what you produce and in what you can do. 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 a faith for the consumer market. But the authentic, human, and holy place of sharing and community.
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 end 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.
Go to Part 8 – Someone Please Forgive
[vcex_image_grid columns=”3″ pagination=”false” thumbnail_link=”custom_link” link_title_tag=”true” custom_links_target=”_blank” overlay_style=”title-category-visible” columns_gap=”5″ img_hover_style=”fade-out” image_ids=”20934,20935,20937″ custom_links=”https://itunes.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1239768002?pt=118656308&ct=blog%20footer&mt=8,https://www.pktfuel.com/dailyemail,https://www.pktfuel.com/support” img_height=”350″]