. . . AND PUT SOME MUSTARD ON IT!!

May 10, 2016

. . . AND PUT SOME MUSTARD ON IT!!

Mark 4:21–34

Juliana McConaghy

Central Truth

Great and awesome things can come from very small beginnings. God doesn't need greatness from us, He just needs us to bring a willing heart and a faith in Him. No matter how small we think our efforts are, they can be the start of something greater than we can imagine!

And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth." (Mark 4:30-31)

A Lamp Under a Basket

21 And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? 22 For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. 25 For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

The Parable of the Seed Growing

26 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. 28 The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

30 And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, 32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. 34 He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

A few weeks ago, I went to a BBQ with friends. Always wanting to try new recipes, I made my first batch of bread and butter pickles. They were yummy and delightful, and MAN, did that wee little spoonful of mustard seeds I put in pack a punch of flavor for something so small.

We all know the distinct smell and taste of mustard; it's hard to confuse it with much else. And Jesus talks about mustard seeds, not just in these verses, but also when He tells His disciples, "For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20) We know that those seeds were some of the smallest planted at the time, but also that they had AMAZING potential to become the largest of all garden plants with big branches for birds to perch on! That is what Jesus likens to the kingdom of God.

So, Jesus is telling us how magnificent things come from very small beginnings. But for many years, I didn't understand this. I felt so very ill-equipped to do anything that would further God's kingdom. I looked at my very unimpressive resume: didn't grow up a believer in Christ, haven't been to seminary, hadn't read the whole Bible, and felt that my efforts would be too weak to make a difference. But the truth of these verses is that the only thing that needs to be on my resume to further the kingdom of God is faith in Him and willingness on my part. He can take my efforts and mightily grow them through His Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Although I get discouraged when what I see is only small faith on my part, it is mighty and potent in the hands of a loving God.

1. What is something that you tell yourself that makes you think you are ill-equipped to tell others about the kingdom of God?

2. Is there anything in your past that is holding you back from sharing the Word of God with others?

3. Have you considered re:generation or another Christ-centered recovery ministry to work through these barriers?