LIKE A MUSTARD SEED
30 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.”
33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. Mark 4:30-34
There are two ways of viewing the kingdom, quantitatively or qualitatively. On the whole, people tend to view the kingdom quantitatively, interpreting growth as numerical rather than relating to character and maturity. How did Jesus intend His stories to be understood? He made it clear to the Pharisees (Luke 17:21) that God’s government happens within people. It is about submission to God, appropriating the resources He gives to come under His authority and reproduce His character, living in the light of His standards of righteousness, holiness and truth in a world system which is temporarily under the authority of a usurper.
How does this happen? It begins in the soul by planting a tiny seed. Jesus used a mustard seed as an example. When it is planted in the ground, it is so small that it is almost unnoticeable. Given time and the right conditions, it begins to grow. What started out small, increases out of all proportion to its beginning. It outgrows all the other garden plants. This illustrates the ability of God’s word to influence and change a life so much that the whole person is transformed.
This is truly good news. It is God’s Word in peoples’ lives that transforms them by renewing their minds. The more we soak in the Word, the more truth replaces our thoughts spawned by our upbringing and environment. The more aware we become of God’s closeness to us, His intentions for us, His love, grace and power at work in us, the bigger His kingdom becomes in us and the greater its influence over those around us.
Satan has some very subtle lies he wants to sow in our minds – that he has power over us (a victim mentality) and that we need someone to rescue us. This breeds fear and helplessness and weakens our faith in Jesus. We have only one course of action – to flood our minds with the truth. Truth is light and light dispels darkness.