More on Matthew… Ch 13:31f… The parable of the mustard seed - why is the Kingdom so insignificant? In comparison with Judaism and the pagan religions of the time… the infant Xian Church must have felt very small and insignificant. Why is the Kingdom so insignificant… if Jesus really is the King? Jesus answer is that it is like a mustard seed, as tiny as the end of a pin. But when it grows it becomes a very sizable bush, and compared with microscopic size of the seed from which it sprang, that is an absolutely phenomenal growth. Moreover, the birds of the air come and rest in its branches. The image of the birds coming to roost would have been eloquent - if ominous - to those reared on the Old Testament. They found it in Daniel 4:12, 20ff and Ezekiel 17:23. It is the Gentiles who are in mind. Jesus is hinting that not only will this apparently tiny seed grow to a remarkable size, but it will spread beyond the narrow confines of Judaism and provide a home for the Gentiles. It may look insignificant. At that stage it is. But it will not stay that way. Judaism itself had been insignificant. But it grew into a multitude that nobody could number. Remember that great things can be achieved by just a tiny cell of believers. Think of the tremendous growth of Xianity in China, Burma, Singapore and other places around the world in the past 30-40 years. Significance can not be measured just in terms of numbers, but it is nice to see…. and of course it is what we are called to do as Xians…. see Acts 1:8… to be His witnesses…. and grow the Kingdom. More on Matthew 13:33 next week…. blessings.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Feb 2014 00:48:13 +0000
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