image from http://artofthechristianninja.com
Mark 4: 26-34 He also said, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come." He also said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade." With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
The good thing about this passage is that Jesus is saying we do not need a green thumb to help in growing God's kingdom. Growth happens whether we understand it or not, but sometimes we can and should be a part of it. Jesus knew that His audience knew harvests and what was involved in planting, tending, and harvesting them. He also knew that others knew certain parts, and still others, nothing at all. Regardless of the role we play, God finds a way to grow the kingdom. For Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed. Jesus knew that folks in his audience, and folks today, thanks to media, knew the smallness of all seeds. It's as if the parable says, like the source of this picture said, "Don't underestimate the small things," or the song of some years back, "From small things, big things one day come." Jesus was all about growth as we should be. We should share our faith in a positive, loving, helpful way, so that those who are in need of such will share with others.
Last night in a small church meeting, as we were leaving, a dear lady pointed to another lady and said, "This dear woman just came back to church today! She had been out since December!" I greeted her and said, "Thank God you're back!" She proceeded to share how wonderful the members of the church had been including just today. The small town in which they live features a prominent Texas "Stop Sign" restaurant and she said she had mentioned how since she hadn't driven since December she had not enjoyed one of that restaurant's chicken salads, and drove on home. She no sooner had dropped her stuff from church on her table that a knock on the door startled her. She opened it and it was a church member who had overheard her say what she had about the chicken salad and has brought her one. I said what I have heard often, "How do some people live without a church family to care for them?" She agreed and said how blessed she had been during her time in the hospital and nursing home, not one day did not pass without at least one church member coming to care for her. Jesus is asking the same of us; show our care, but not just for those we know and love, but for all people. No exceptions. You might just be having a role in growing the Kingdom of God.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me in whatever small way to help grow the Kingdom. Give me courage and boldness to step beyond just helping "one another" to truly helping all people. This I pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
