SHARING BREAD
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 seed you plant in the ground. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest
of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air 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.
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.
Mark 4:30-34 (NIV)
“But He is the Living Word and His Word is a flashing, double-edged sword and He doesn’t write Himself into neat five-point outlines but He is like the wind — and He speaks in parables that subvert and poetry that ignites and metaphors that jolt and there is nothing safe or small or stiff about Him.” Ann Voskamp
In our verses for today Jesus
teaches us the work of grace is very small and mysterious in its beginnings yet
flourishes greatly and considerably at the last. In this parabolic discourse – to give
breadth to His hearer’s understanding - Jesus likens the kingdom of God to a
common black mustard seed – the smallest of all seeds planted in the Palestinian
ground. This was an annual plant which -
growing from diminutive beginnings - reached the height of some twelve to
fifteen feet in but a mere few weeks. Similarly,
the work of grace in a man’s soul is at first a very small thing – a cloud no
bigger than a man’s hand yet eventually flourishing in the end. The kingdom of God, likewise, had humble
beginnings which will end greatly. Think
about the original disciples for a moment – never was there such a great
undertaking by such a few handful to fulfill Jesus’ great commission and spread
the kingdom of God to the ends of the earth through the power of the Holy Spirit:
18 Then
Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in
heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, 20 and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you
always, to the very end of the age."
Matt 28:18-20 (NIV)
“Whenever God rules over the human heart
as King, there is the kingdom of God established.” Paul W. Harrison
The insignificant perhaps even
enigmatic beginning of God’s kingdom – embodied in the presence of our Lord and
Savior is here contrasted to the coming end result of His Second Advent which
will most assuredly surpass all kingdoms in glory, greatness and power. The perfection of God’s kingdom will be very
great indeed. The spread of the gospel in
the world will continue increasing - stretching to the furthermost corners of
the earth. Jesus’ teaching certainly would
not cease to continue and multiply after His death. The Spirit was and is given to every believer
to empower and teach - left to train and guide and reveal divine mysteries. Equipping us to pass the baton to every
subsequent generation until Christ’s second coming. Believers are to be longing for his physical appearance
and rule to be established on “earth as it is in heaven”. The “birds of the air”
depicted by our Lord as perching in the plant’s shade more than likely
represent the incorporation of the Gentiles into God’s kingdom (Hallelujah!) which
Ezekiel prophesized about. God would use
Israel as the catalyst to turn other nations to the Lord – just as believers
are left to point the lost to Jesus - the fulfillment of God’s kingdom awaiting
the establishment of Israel in the Millennium under the Messiah, Jesus Christ:
22 "'This
is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top
of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost
shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it
will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of
every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its
branches. 24 All
the trees of the field will know that I the LORD bring down the tall tree and
make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree
flourish. "'I the LORD have spoken,
and I will do it.'" Ezek 17:22-24
(NIV)
“God is the God of promise. He keeps His word, even when that seems impossible.” Colin Urquhart
Lastly, Mark notes Jesus spoke to
the people “as much as they could
understand” – later giving full explanation to His own. This is reminiscent to me of the Road to Emmaus
encounter with two of His guys after our Lord’s resurrection which Luke depicted
– indicating those who walk with the Lord are blessed to get to go even further
still with Him in their knowledge and depth of insight:
25 He
said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow
of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these
things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he
explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:25-27 (NIV)
30 When
he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began
to give it to them. 31 Then
their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their
sight. 32 They
asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked
with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" Luke 24:30-32 (NIV)
15 He who has ears, let him hear. Matt 11:15 (NIV)
What I glean from this:
· There is
nothing insignificant about Jesus’ Words – all are purposeful and useful for me.
· God’s kingdom
will continue to grow until our Lord returns at His Second Advent.
· God keeps
His Word.
