Mark 4:30-34

³⁰ He also said, “What can we compare the kingdom of God to, or which illustration will we use to describe it? ³¹ It is like a mustard seed, which, when it is being planted in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds in this land;[1] ³² yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the largest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can nest under the shade it makes.” ³³ With many such illustrations he used to speak[2] the word to them, as they were able to hear it; ³⁴ he did not speak to them except with illustrations, but he explained it all in private to his own disciples.

small investment

As an illustration, talking about planting a mustard seed is very useful. It seems a very small investment at the beginning. But it makes all the difference in the end. Jesus explained his teachings to his disciples as he went along. They had been the ones who had made the jump. They had been the ones who were ready to plant their mustard seeds.

There is actually very little that we could do for Jesus and his kingdom. Even if we give our lives – well, our lives are not that special. But Jesus can make them so. The question for us is whether we are willing to plant ourselves – our small, puny, tiny, insignificant selves. That supreme act of self-denial may seem like a waste. But it is really a very wise investment.

LORD, here are our lives. We surrender them to you and your kingdom.

[1] not “on the earth” because that is an untrue statement, and would not have been Jesus’ point.

[2] Greek customary imperfect tense.