Sometimes something that starts out small can end up being quite large. Microsoft had its beginnings with just two people and Apple with three, and now both are huge, multinational corporations. The tallest trees in the world, the redwoods, all start out as small seeds. Fungus organisms start as single cells, and can grow to millions and millions of times bigger. In our Scripture passage from the Gospel of Mark, the Lord Jesus gives a couple of small parables about small beginnings. Let’s look at what Jesus spoke of that started small and grew big.
The first small parable Jesus spoke in today’s Scripture was the Parable of the Growing Seed, and told of when a farmer or gardener plants seeds (vs. 26-29). The farmers watch day and night for the plants to grow, and when the seeds sprout, they can’t really explain how that happens. The crops grow and grow, and then are ready for harvest. Like another parable that Jesus told, the parable of the sower, we know that good soil is important for seeds to grow in. A farmer or gardener knows that, and will take the time to make sure they have good soil and rock-free fields to plant in. Good soil, no weeds, water, sunshine, will help bring a good crop.
These parables of Jesus compared planting, seeds, and harvest of plants with that of the spiritual growth of believers when the Word of God, like a seed, is planted in a soul. There can be good spiritual growth accomplished if there is good soil. After the Gospel is presented, the Word of God works in the individual’s heart, sometimes slowly, until the time when God reaps the harvest in that individual and they are saved. After salvation we don’t immediately become a “spiritual giant”, but instead spiritual growth is a continual and gradual process, just like the growth of a plant.
Jesus continued on with a second short parable, this one the Parable of the Mustard Seed (vs. 30-32). The mustard seed that Jesus was most probably referring to was seeds from the black mustard plant. This plant’s leaves are often eaten as a vegetable, and the seeds can be crushed to prepare the mustard condiment. The crushed seeds have also been used to make mustard plasters which help soothe aches and pains from rheumatism, arthritis, and sore muscles.
Though the mustard seed is not the smallest seed in the world, it was the smallest of seeds that the Jewish people would regularly sow in Israel at that time. The mustard shrub has been known to grow to 15’ or more, and have branches large enough for birds to nest in, like a tree.
Jesus compares the mustard seed with the Kingdom of God. The mustard seed starts out as a very small seed, only about 1 - 2 millimeters in size, yet it grows into a shrub that can be 2 ½ times the height of the average man. Although Christianity had a very small beginning, it has become a worldwide community of believers. When Jesus first started His ministry, shortly after His baptism by John the Baptist, He first called one, then another, and another to come and follow Him, a very small beginning. At the time when the Holy Spirit came down upon the Church on the day of Pentecost, there were only 120 people in that upper room (Acts 1:15). Yet within not that many years, Christianity had spread throughout the Roman Empire without such modern technology as computers, social media, television, radio, or cell phones. Today, most countries have at least some Christians, even though in some places they cannot openly practice their faith. Like the mustard seed, the Kingdom of God began with a small influence, and then became worldwide in its scope.
The mustard seed grew to be a large shrub which provided shelter for the birds, where they could come, rest in the shade, and build their nest. In like manner Christianity and the salvation in Jesus that it proclaimed, would provide spiritual shelter, protection, and benefits to mankind. The first benefit, naturally, is that the message of Jesus brings salvation from sin. Then there are the lesser recognized benefits to the world that the Christian faith brought. At the time of Jesus, the world was a cruel and harsh place, especially to the poor, the weak, widows, orphans, and the sick. For the most part, unless they were your immediate family, people didn’t care about these folks. However, with the love of Jesus in their hearts, Christians did. They were the first to start hospitals, orphanages, organizations to help the poor, etc. Those in need could come and find “rest” and “shade” like the birds in the mustard shrub. Are you and your church like the mustard plant, maybe starting small but growing and providing for those in your area? Continue to plant seeds of faith wherever you go, and like the farmer, watch the seeds bring forth a harvest.
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