[Mar 4:30-32 NKJV]
30 Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it?
31 “[It is] like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth;
32 “but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”
Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed.
To us this sounds like a simple story of something small becoming big.
People who heard Jesus — shocking that Jesus would say this.
Religious leaders — outraged that Jesus would say this.
Mustard plant in Jesus’ time — a noxious weed.
Planting them was illegal. Jesus—planted on purpose.
Today — planting ragweed, thistle, or kudzu.
Mustard seeds sprout earlier, produce seeds faster, needs less water than other plants. It will take over. Almost impossible to get rid of even with modern chemicals.
Jesus talking about birds nesting in branches was a tweak of the nose to religious leaders.
Similar verse in Ezekiel that God would make Israel like a great cedar tree that birds would nest in.
That Jesus would take that idea and put it with a mustard plant wasn’t something that “good” rabbis did.
Truth: The kingdom of God is about tenacity.
Personal transformation — starts with a small decision. Word of God planted.
Spreads thru your life.
Mustard seed can withstand long periods of drought.
Action: Give the seed in you a little water. Connect with the Holy Spirit and let the kingdom of God spread inside you.
Start by reading the written word of God and listen for the Holy Spirit revealing truth you need at the moment.
Talk to the Holy Spirit / God. Ask for him to teach you how to connect.
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