The Kingdom - Small means BIG
Luke 6:18-19
18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.
I wondered about this "kingdom" that Jesus is referring to in this parable. See, I've used mustard seeds in my wood burning and painting and carving of plaques (see the one of Kitra). These seeds are the size of pin heads! I mean extremely extremely small. Only a sesame seed would be smaller that I can think of which I've seen.
In my search for what was Jesus meaning, the mustard seed tree is supposed to be only the size of a bush and is perennial or bi-annual. Let's stick with the perennial type as that seems to be more consistent with what type of tree Jesus would have known and spoke of.
What would you think of a small seed, which you've been given, and you plant it thinking, at best, you'd get a good sized bush? Imagine your surprise at finding instead a huge magnificent tree which would be shelter for people and animals alike!
Isn't this like the kingdom of Heaven? It isn't so small as to not be available to anyone willing to abide there. It isn't selective on who may or may not enter its shelter. It isn't driven by boundary of color, race, sex, or politics. It holds out its branches providing what is need to whomever is in need wherever it is planted. Its roots are firmly held within the ground, its leaves providing shade from the hot sun, safety in the branches for the birds from predators that would harm, and gives freely of what it has.
Now, do not misunderstand. The mustard tree is no doormat! Neither is the kingdom of Heaven. One must choose to enter the shelter of the tree. One must choose to abide there for safety. One must choose to abide there to keep out of the heat. Further, that mustard tree is not self-sufficient. No, by no means!
The tree, like the kingdom of Heaven, is reliant on God for its provisions; water, sun, good soil, etc. God takes care of the tree (us) so that the tree can be of use to others. This is the kingdom of Heaven....people....shown as a tree.
How often do we try to shoosh away the birds that need to be in our branches? What of the weary mother or other person who just needs to rest in "the shade" for a bit to carry on with the burden of living?
What about the tree (us)? Are we relying on God for our good soil (His word) to have enough to feed us and keep us strong? Is the tree (us) relying on God for water (His presence & quiet time with Him)?
Bottom line, we cannot be a good "tree" if we aren't cared for by the great Gardner. We must be a good "tree" taking all we need from the Gardener so that we may be a welcome sight for those in need.
18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.
I wondered about this "kingdom" that Jesus is referring to in this parable. See, I've used mustard seeds in my wood burning and painting and carving of plaques (see the one of Kitra). These seeds are the size of pin heads! I mean extremely extremely small. Only a sesame seed would be smaller that I can think of which I've seen.
In my search for what was Jesus meaning, the mustard seed tree is supposed to be only the size of a bush and is perennial or bi-annual. Let's stick with the perennial type as that seems to be more consistent with what type of tree Jesus would have known and spoke of.
What would you think of a small seed, which you've been given, and you plant it thinking, at best, you'd get a good sized bush? Imagine your surprise at finding instead a huge magnificent tree which would be shelter for people and animals alike!
Isn't this like the kingdom of Heaven? It isn't so small as to not be available to anyone willing to abide there. It isn't selective on who may or may not enter its shelter. It isn't driven by boundary of color, race, sex, or politics. It holds out its branches providing what is need to whomever is in need wherever it is planted. Its roots are firmly held within the ground, its leaves providing shade from the hot sun, safety in the branches for the birds from predators that would harm, and gives freely of what it has.
Now, do not misunderstand. The mustard tree is no doormat! Neither is the kingdom of Heaven. One must choose to enter the shelter of the tree. One must choose to abide there for safety. One must choose to abide there to keep out of the heat. Further, that mustard tree is not self-sufficient. No, by no means!
The tree, like the kingdom of Heaven, is reliant on God for its provisions; water, sun, good soil, etc. God takes care of the tree (us) so that the tree can be of use to others. This is the kingdom of Heaven....people....shown as a tree.
How often do we try to shoosh away the birds that need to be in our branches? What of the weary mother or other person who just needs to rest in "the shade" for a bit to carry on with the burden of living?
What about the tree (us)? Are we relying on God for our good soil (His word) to have enough to feed us and keep us strong? Is the tree (us) relying on God for water (His presence & quiet time with Him)?
Bottom line, we cannot be a good "tree" if we aren't cared for by the great Gardner. We must be a good "tree" taking all we need from the Gardener so that we may be a welcome sight for those in need.
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