18 He said therefore, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? 19It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.’
BLOG DISCUSSION QUESTION: There was a gardening rule in Jesus' day that prohibited planting a mustard plant in one's garden. Knowing that, what do you think Jesus is trying to tell us in this, the third telling of this parable?
9 comments:
I think he is telling us that the Kindom of God can be found in some of the most unlikely places. Our job should be to sow the seeds and not try to figure out if and when or can they grow.
Like mjb, sometimes we dont like what has grown in our garden, ( church ). We want only the regulated and approved crops. Not the ones that make us uncomfortable or are not of our family (variety). Its like teaching a child to eat new vegetables. It may not be on the menu but you might be suprised how good it is for you.
testing the process
Yes, it is surprising how the Kingdom of God grows in unlikely places! We can't "put God in a box!"
Didn't know there was a rule about not planting a mustard seed in a garden....Why not????
I have never seen a mustard tree, but it must be beautiful. I hope to some day. I am reminded of Joyce Kilmer's poem "I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree." Also, an Anne Murray tune comes to mind: "If I could be any tree in the ground I'd want to be a tree where the birds hang around." Heaven must be like this mustard tree.
I will trust Pastor Jerry that this is the third time Jesus uses this story; however, could it be that this is merely the third account of this story by another author?
I'm looking at all three stories and noticeing the things that are held in common. One is the mustard seed, considered in Jewish teaching to be the smallest seed, although it really wasn't. And, two, that it grew into a large tree. I'm going to ignore the birds!
How about looking at it like this and asking some questions. Is this a story to the disciples to encourage them? When is it told in the time line of Jesus' ministry? Had the number of people following after Jesus to hear his teachings fallen off or increased?
Could it be that the disciples were experiencing some of the same things that we as a small church facing difficult issues are facing. Some dissension, doubt, and loss of members? And so, Jesus is using this as encouragement to the disciples and to us. He says, "Look people, great things come from small beginnings. This tiny seed will 'someday' be a large tree, with sturdy branches, that even the birds will be able to build their nests in". Sorry, I wasn't going to bring up the bird thing. Think, this tree didn't grow instantaneously. We in South Dakota know that it takes a long time to grow a tree. And since the region that Jesus was teaching had very arid areas. It too took a long time to grow a tree.
When Jesus died, I understand there were only about 120 followers. Look at the number of Christians today.
My point, we do not know what our tiniest of efforts do in the witness of our two small churches. Let's get over expecting things to happen quickly and on our schedule.
God has given us the seed, he is leading and guiding us in the planting, and ONLY HE can give the growth. We're doing what He wants, let's quit ringing our hands and let God be God.
I would have to agree that Jesus is saying that we are not to look in the 'usual' places to do his work or for His Kingdom, but rather it is located in the very unlikely places. I also find it interesting what 'gabriel' stated about it being a story to encourage the disciples. This very well could be true in the fact that he is encouraging them because in many ways they were critized for speaking out in the Faith so as it was wrong to plant the mustard seed. This could be encouragement for us as well when we too are criticized for our faith. Sorry I haven't blogged for a few days, but I am back!!
I would have to agree that Jesus is saying that we are not to look in the 'usual' places to do his work or for His Kingdom, but rather it is located in the very unlikely places. I also find it interesting what 'gabriel' stated about it being a story to encourage the disciples. This very well could be true in the fact that he is encouraging them because in many ways they were critized for speaking out in the Faith so as it was wrong to plant the mustard seed. This could be encouragement for us as well when we too are criticized for our faith. Sorry I haven't blogged for a few days, but I am back!!
THANKS FOR ALL THE BLOGGING!
Great input by all.
There are three tellings of this parable in the Gospels, and as we have seen, looking at the details of each helps us discover the unique concern that is being addressed in each one.
As has been said, like a mustard seed in a garden, the reign of God can find itself planted and growing in places where we don't think it should be, in people we don't think it should be, and in circumstances we don't think it should be.
MMMMMM....makes one think about the confidence we place in the word "should".
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