seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Mark 4:30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
When I was a kid, I wanted one of those mustard seed necklaces. A couple of friends had them, but I never got one. Now I'm old and don't wear jewelry anymore, so I'm glad I don't have one now. Can you imagine.... keeping that mustard seed closed up in glass.... inside a dark box, just for my own occasional enjoyment? It seems to me, the card that came with those necklaces said, "with faith the size of a mustard seed". I don't think the card mentioned the mustard seed being an example of "the Kingdom of God". It just said "faith". I always thought the phrase was right up there with "all things are possible". And that's not in these verses either. Geeze.... and how many times have I missed that??!!
Jesus talked and talked and talked in parable.... and then He explained everything to the disciples.
Back in that verse 11 I keep asking about, Jesus said Believers have a special understanding. So, why would He have to spend time explaining the parables?
He wanted to make sure they had it right. He was talking about the safe harbor of the "kingdom of God" not faith.
I was 71 years old before I found out I wouldn't have to sprout wings and play a harp all day in Heaven. I'm much more excited now that I know I will indeed get a different assignment. I'm not too into harps. Now at 72 I find myself quite happy that I don't have a mustard seed trapped in glass hidden in my jewelry box.
Don't skip over the verse because they seem familiar. I've skipped over what I dismissed as the "faith of a mustard seed" passage for decades. And now I'm 72 and I find I have been fed a lie by the vendors of those little mustard seeds trapped in glass.
Now I have a different thought about these verses. Don't let your kingdom get trapped in stagnant glass!
Don't get trapped!
