Thought for the Day - Monday 27 July

Thought for the Day – Monday 27^th July

‘‘He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (Matthew 13: 31-32)

Jesus said, ‘The reason I speak to them in parables is that ‘seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.’

So let’s look at one of Jesus’ parables today and try and understand a bit more about this kingdom of heaven he wants us to perceive.

Have you ever looked at a mustard seed?

I remember bringing some to church one time and showing the children how absolutely tiny they are, I am sure if you put just one on your hand and then accidentally dropped it on the ground you might never find it again – that’s how tiny they are. Yet, from this tiniest of seeds, when planted, great trees can grow! Indeed, plants which are so large that they can sustain life - for birds can live within them finding shade and even nest in them in safety.

And we are told the kingdom of heaven is just like this mustard seed!

How can that be?

Well, Jesus was always trying to think of ways to get his message across and people listening would certainly have understood this image of the mustard seed growing because daily they would see the mustard seeds being sown and the resulting trees flourishing – they may even have sown some mustard seeds themselves. So, in likening the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed Jesus is trying to get them to understand that all around them the kingdom of heaven is being sown, even in the tiniest way, and is flourishing too and they just need to look and see the evidence of that growth.

I suppose he could also have illustrated it by using his own life as an example for us, by showing the way he came to earth bringing the kingdom of heaven but he and that kingdom had no followers at that time. Then there was Peter and Andrew working away with their nets and they immediately followed, James and John were next and they immediately followed and one by one people followed until there were twelve. A small beginning to the kingdom just like that mustard seed. However, Jesus shared his stories, mentored his disciples and then sent out the twelve who in turn brought others to Jesus and the kingdom grew and from this small beginning, this small seed, the kingdom of heaven has grown and grown until it has spread across the whole earth.

So, Jesus started growing the kingdom with a few disciples but every time we share stories of Jesus, every time we show his love to others, every time our actions speak of him, we grow the kingdom of heaven a little more here on earth.

Even if we all plant just one little ‘mustard seed’ for the kingdom – just imagine how quickly that kingdom of heaven will grow and flourish – a kingdom providing safety and shelter and shade for others as well as for ourselves!! And if we all do this then what an even more wonderful world this might be for all people in which to live!

Prayer

Loving Lord,

The seeds of your kingdom are forever being sown in our lives and in our world, feed us, nurture us and equip us that our lives and our service might be fruitful in growing your kingdom here on earth. 

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.