You Are Now The Seed

“Lost and Found” by Greg Olsen. Used with Permission. http://www.GregOlsen.com

November 20, 2022

Gospel – January 31, 2020 – Mark 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds:
“This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and the seed would sprout and grow,
he knows not how.
Of its own accord the land yields fruit,
first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once,
for the harvest has come.”

He said,
“To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,
is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”
With many such parables
he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.
Without parables he did not speak to them,
but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

Jesus continues to speak in parables to relate the Kingdom of God to life here on earth so they can grasp what he is saying.

He talks of how his ministry begins very small but grows organically – from person to person sharing the message. That’s why he speaks in parables – the sharing can be done by simple people, in simple conversations and grow the Kingdom. What he’s truly saying is for his apostles only.

When you think Jesus started on the shore of the Sea of Galilee by himself, choosing four men and preaching and teaching in Capernaum to what we know as Christianity today – that tiny seed has grown into a beautiful bush. That bush invites all – birds of the air, animals – everyone. And it continues to provide food and comfort.

You are now the seed. You are grown into a bush. You are now providing.

Let all who have ears to listen hear. Those who have much will be given more. But those with little will have even that taken from them.

Grow strong and provide, mustard bushes.

Jesus needs us.

At least that’s what I heard Him say…