Devotion

The Parable of the mustard seed

“What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 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.”

When my children were small, we planted many seeds and waited to see what grew. We planted flowers and vegetables and while I wouldn’t call myself a gardener, I appreciated the life, the beauty, and the food that came from those seeds. This was also part of my childhood when my dad and brother would sow paddocks with grain crops. Following rain, the green tinge of growth indicated the crop that was to supply food for the farm animals, grain for sale, and the seed for the crop the following year. 

When Jesus described the kingdom of God, he drew on the amazing and incredible growth of a seed to plant. In the case of the parable of the mustard seed, he chose a seed one of the smallest seeds that grows into a huge tree. So much growth from something so small is amazing. When the seed of faith is planted, its growth can be exponential. This growth can happen within a person and also can be seen within a community. Faith can be the driving force behind people giving amazing service and doing amazing things. Living as part of God’s kingdom can allow communities to embrace and care for each other as they share the wonders and strength of life in Christ. 

Jayne Zadow

PYP Coordinator