Mustard Mystery - Two reasons why Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed.

"To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 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." Mark 4:30-32

The cedars of Lebanon too, are grown
into mighty trees that live for millenia...
they start off as tiny seeds no bigger
 than the nail on your pinky!
I sat one day by the edge of a small lake in a park, reclining in the fine summer sun, surrounded by the bright green vegetation of spring's leaves, and immersed in a symphony of avian songs. It was a moment to remember. As I rested there, I noticed a bird landing on a reed beside the water. The reed swayed to and fro, unable to bare the bird's weight. So the bird decided to abandon it's position and instead perched itself on a little branch of a young tree nearby. The branch, however, barely moved with the bird's arrival though it was as skinny as the reed. 

I then wondered to myself, why do birds love to perch on branches? Sure, some eat food there, but birds - as Jesus said in this parable - find rest in the arms of trees. The reason they go up there is because high above, it is safe from the dangers that lurk below on the ground - predators, humans, dogs, machines. 

As I pondered this, this parable came to mind. And then it dawned on me...

1) The kingdom of heaven, is a kingdom of rest not worry, strife or labor. 

Many think that being a son and daughter of God means labor, toil and sweat. Yet Jesus spoke of His yoke saying that it was easy and light, neither heavy nor hard to bare (Mat 11:30). The Kingdom of God is a matter of rest! It is full of peace, joy and righteousness (Rom 14:17). If you are striving to please God, serving Him here and there, you have missed something, my friend. I'm not saying don't fight the good fight, serve at church or make a difference! (Read some of my posts and you'll see it's the last thing I'm saying). 

Our labor must come from a position of rest... like the birds perched above on the tree. Resting in the work of the Lord (not our work) is the way we produce fruit and a great harvest. We who believe in Jesus enter His rest! And in His rest, we find strength, enjoy His love and rise from glory to glory!

2) The kingdom of heaven, is far above the tumult of the world and the roar of nations. 

There are many teaching the children of God to fear the world, disease, destruction, persecution, wars and even the end times. When a new virus is discovered or a disease is plaguing your land, they will whisper into your ears the likeliness of you getting it and infect you with fear rather than faith. When wars loom on the horizon they will encourage you to run or bury your head in the sand, rather than look to the shield of God. And when disasters abound they will heap judgement and condemnation on you rather than show you the grace and glory of Christ. Rather then give you confidence with which to stand tall and lift your heads when some sign of the end supposedly appears (Luke 21:28), they make you cringe in fear, like a mouse in a field surrounded by an army of cats. Nothing could be further from the kingdom of God!

Our Father has promised to set us high above all the nations. Really He has (check out Deut 28:1,13 for starters). That means that we need not fear anything! He has never called us to suffer like the rest of the world, caught in it's currents and highways of destruction. Like the bird that's resting on the tree high above, so are we. Though dangers, real and scary, prowl the earth, we are set above and not below. We only watch with out own eyes and though thousands fall and fear at our side, we remain strong and safe (Ps 91).

Today, see yourself like this bird. Rest in the arms of your Lord, knowing you are His and He is yours and nothing will ever be able to harm you (John 10:27-29)! This is your inheritance in Christ... even divine protection and blessed rest. Will you take it?

For more on why you can expect God's full protection over dangers and disease, destruction and death, check out these short videos by clicking here!

By David Roiel
The Green Leaf Blog - Discover your inheritance!

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Comments

  1. Very refreshing and very true! We are to rest in Jesus, every minute of every day!

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