April 27, 2018
Mark 4:30-32 Good News Translation (GNT)
By our faith, God is building a kingdom in our hearts and one day he will build a worldwide Kingdom here on earth. The kingdom may have started as a small seed in our hearts, but in time it will take over the world and every nation; it will overshadow the world and cause many to be uncomfortable. God’s kingdom will become unwelcome in the world much like the mustard plant in our parable that starts as a seed but begins to take over the garden.
Our parable today includes a man (Christ), a seed (the Word), field/garden (the world), growth (time), and birds (the presence of evil). Ponder this: If Jesus’ reference to the birds finding shelter was from his previous parable about the sower and seed, the birds might also be unfavorable. The birds are taking advantage of the benefits of the kingdom while diluting it with evil. The growth of the mustard plant gives even a place for evil to nest because the kingdom welcomes whosoever calls on the name of the Lord. If we are going to be open to the King, all kinds of undesirable things may show up as Truth shines the Light. After all, Jesus came to save sinners (human beings) who have given shelter to the work of evil in their souls, so we live messy lives until we allow Jesus to be Lord.
We have an opportunity to be builders with the Master Builder of his eternal kingdom, so let’s allow the love of Christ to build us in his image each day and be a part of establishing His reign on earth.