The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; 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. Matthew 13:31-32 (NKJV)
Planted – The Seed Series – Part 2
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7
Jesus told a parable about how the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that is planted in the ground and grows into a tree that birds can nest in.
A mustard seed? Not a cedar seed that would grow into a tall, robust and regal tree?
No. A mustard seed. And then he got carried away with the details. He said that a mustard seed was the smallest of seeds, and that they grow into incredible tall trees.
But they don’t. They’re not the smallest of seeds. And they grow up to be bushes and shrubs, not any taller that a person of medium height (at best).
They’re a generic, bland, ordinary, everyday kind of seed/plant/bush.
But incredibly useful.
The mustard plant was known and valued for its medicinal and flavour qualities. It was believed to be beneficial for good health, like a tonic and was used to treat snake and scorpion bites, toothaches, indigestion, asthma, epilepsy, constipation, dropsy, lethargy, tetanus, leprous sores and more. It’s likely that many homes and communities would have shared a mustard shrub and used it almost daily.
Instead of the Kingdom of heaven being likened to a grandiose, public, and imperialistically impressive monument or tree that proclaimed its dominance and power, Jesus compared it to a shrub used for healing that grew everywhere, from street corners to backyards. The comparison is subversive, mysterious; more salt and light, flavour and healing, than empire and control.
The mustard plant is found in ordinary everyday places, growing from a tiny seed, that when planted grows mysteriously and almost at will, bringing healing and blessing and wholeness to those who find it. And leaving behind more seeds…
Perhaps the Kingdom of God is more prolific then we think. Eternity in the hearts of men and women the world over and back again. It’s there, planted by the Divine from the very beginning. A tiny, often unseen and unrecognisable seed that doesn’t look like much. Small and insignificant. Many don't even realise its there. But from these seeds grows plants that take root in humanity. It’s often not the grand and imperialistically adorned neighbourhoods of hearts that Kingdom is found running wild and free. It’s there, for sure. It’s everywhere. But I find it more in the raw and holy moments of healing and vulnerability, health and vitality, goodness and mercy and justice and kindness. Faith, hope and love. It's in the seekers and the sinners and the saints alike. And in the spaces where these three sit down at a table and eat together as comrades.
There’s talk going around that Churches are in decline, and people are losing their faith or choosing not to believe from the get-go. There’s an air of fear in the “Christian world” of people who may “Take us out,” who are different, who seem to oppose our world view. And I get that can be worrying, but I don’t think we should be afraid.
Seeds can’t help but grow.
Our job is to find them and then see them planted, watered and nurtured.
Our job isn’t to defend old traditions, be staunch and stiff with who we let into our churches and who we kick out. We don’t need to defend the gospel or Jesus for that matter. Jesus did not defend himself on the cross. He did not protest. He allowed his murder to happen, saying nothing, going willingly.
He had a seed to plant. He needed something new to be awakened, to grow in the world, and in our hearts and lives. He needed a way for ALL people EVERYWHERE to uncover this seed within and see it germinate and grow into Kingdom on earth…
“Let me make this clear: a single grain of wheat will never be more than a single grain of wheat unless it drops into the ground and dies. Because then it sprouts and produces a great harvest of wheat—all because one grain died. The person who loves his life and pampers himself will miss true life! But the one who detaches his life from this world and abandons himself to me, will find true life and enjoy it forever!” Jesus, John 12:24-25 (The Passion Translation).
Can you see the seeds growing all around you? Leave us a comment below.
Go to Part 3 – Every Life »
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