Title: Mustard Seed Faith
Text: Mark 4:30-32
“It is like a mustard seed, which when sown in the ground is the smallest of all the seeds on earth” (Mark 4:31).
In 1637, a young pastor came to America from England and died of tuberculosis within a year. Being a poor pastor, he had only 300 books. The young pastor decided to donate the book to a university in his city. A letter was enclosed with the book.
First, we should not be ashamed of our small and insufficient reality. There is a saying, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”. Great things start with small things. And to achieve great things, you must go through the process of trials. There is a common saying among Americans: “If you give me a very sour and bitter lemon, make lemonade out of it.” It means, ‘Don’t throw away sour lemons because they are sour, make them into sweet lemon tea’. Life isn't always sweet. It is to live by turning bitter experiences into sweet blessings.
Second, we must be able to see the great potential within us. The Lord didn't just tell the little things through the parable of the mustard seed. He was referring to the life force in the mustard seed. Although a mustard seed is small, it grows into a large tree because it has vitality in it. Even though we ourselves are small and ugly, as long as we have life in us, we will grow into a big tree. Jesus referred to himself as the bread of life that gives life to the world. In the Gospels, wherever Jesus went, there was a work of life.
Third, our growth should help our neighbors. Why do we, as small and insignificant as a mustard seed, have to grow? Why do we have to be big trees? In verse 32, Jesus gave the reason why a mustard seed should grow into a great tree. The phrase “the birds of the air become large enough to make nests in their shadows” has the meaning of growing as large as that, but it emphasizes the responsibility more by saying, “You must grow big so that the birds of the air make nests.” I bless you to know the intention of the Lord who made me grow.
* Prayer: Thank you, God, for always leading me to a good path. Because of your love that lies deep in my heart, I can live my life hard without noticing fatigue. May you remember and enjoy that grace forever. I pray in Jesus name.