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
Are you sick of all the farming references yet? Well, here’s one more! Remember, during Jesus time, agriculture was one of the major ways people made a living and so Jesus would use farming analogies to help people understand what he was talking about.
In this parable, the seed represents the Kingdom of God—the community of all who follow Jesus and have decided to become part of his spiritual family. This encouraging passage is tell us that this kingdom and family is growing and nothing can stop it.
In fact, in places where there seems to be intense persecution of Christians, that’s where the Kingdom of God is growing! Take a look at this YouTube video of Christians in China receiving the Bible for the first time. Christianity has been so restricted in China that it’s nearly impossible to even buy a Bible! Yet, God’s Kingdom is still expanding. There are tens of millions of Christians in China despite the persecution. One could even say that the persecution has made the Christians in China even more fervent and more passionate about their faith.
If you call yourself a Christian, you’re part of God’s growing family. May that encourage you and give you joy.
If you call yourself a Christian, you’re part of God’s growing family. May that encourage you and give you joy.
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