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 seed you plant in the ground. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air 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.
“But He is the Living Word and His Word is a flashing, double-edged sword and He doesn’t write Himself into neat five-point outlines but He is like the wind — and He speaks in parables that subvert and poetry that ignites and metaphors that jolt and there is nothing safe or small or stiff about Him.” Ann Voskamp
In our verses for today Jesus teaches us the work of grace is very small and mysterious in its beginnings yet flourishes greatly and considerably at the last. In this parabolic discourse – to give breadth to His hearer’s understanding - Jesus likens the kingdom of God to a common black mustard seed – the smallest of all seeds planted in the Palestinian ground. This was an annual plant which - growing from diminutive beginnings - reached the height of some twelve to fifteen feet in but a mere few weeks. Similarly, the work of grace in a man’s soul is at first a very small thing – a cloud no bigger than a man’s hand yet eventually flourishing in the end. The kingdom of God, likewise, had humble beginnings which will end greatly. Think about the original disciples for a moment – never was there such a great undertaking by such a few handful to fulfill Jesus’ great commission and spread the kingdom of God to the ends of the earth through the power of the Holy Spirit:
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:18-20 (NIV)
“Whenever God rules over the human heart as King, there is the kingdom of God established.” Paul W. Harrison
The insignificant perhaps even enigmatic beginning of God’s kingdom – embodied in the presence of our Lord and Savior is here contrasted to the coming end result of His Second Advent which will most assuredly surpass all kingdoms in glory, greatness and power. The perfection of God’s kingdom will be very great indeed. The spread of the gospel in the world will continue increasing - stretching to the furthermost corners of the earth. Jesus’ teaching certainly would not cease to continue and multiply after His death. The Spirit was and is given to every believer to empower and teach - left to train and guide and reveal divine mysteries. Equipping us to pass the baton to every subsequent generation until Christ’s second coming. Believers are to be longing for his physical appearance and rule to be established on “earth as it is in heaven”. The “birds of the air” depicted by our Lord as perching in the plant’s shade more than likely represent the incorporation of the Gentiles into God’s kingdom (Hallelujah!) which Ezekiel prophesized about. God would use Israel as the catalyst to turn other nations to the Lord – just as believers are left to point the lost to Jesus - the fulfillment of God’s kingdom awaiting the establishment of Israel in the Millennium under the Messiah, Jesus Christ:
22 "'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. 24 All the trees of the field will know that I the LORD bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. "'I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it.'" Ezek 17:22-24 (NIV)
“God is the God of promise. He keeps His word, even when that seems impossible.” Colin Urquhart
Lastly, Mark notes Jesus spoke to the people “as much as they could understand” – later giving full explanation to His own. This is reminiscent to me of the Road to Emmaus encounter with two of His guys after our Lord’s resurrection which Luke depicted – indicating those who walk with the Lord are blessed to get to go even further still with Him in their knowledge and depth of insight:
25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:25-27 (NIV)
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" Luke 24:30-32 (NIV)
15 He who has ears, let him hear. Matt 11:15 (NIV)