THE MUSTARD SEED

 

THE GRAIN OF MUSTARD

30And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?

31It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth,

32yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

MARK 4:30-32

COMMENTARY

Lord Jesus compares the Kingdom of God on Earth, meaning the spreading of the Gospel, the formation of the Christian Church and the influence of Christianity on society; to a great of mustard, which is planted even though is the smallest of all common edible plants known to men in his time and area, that later grows so big in comparison to all vegetables, that becomes a tree and even offers refuge to the birds of the air that live around it.

It represents how the gospel starts with one man, Jesus of Nazareth, and then grows around Judea, Samaria, and then to every corner of the planet, until it becomes worldwide. Influencing society so much that provides food for all humans, and even birds of the air, meaning people who do not believe in the gospel, but that they get to benefit from it, by seeking refuge in all the positive changes and view of life it proclaims around the planet, like freedom from slavery, equal rights before the Law, honesty, morality, truth, responsibility, and all other positive values that come with Christianity.  

Christianity has been a challenging force from the beginning, confronting the hypocrisy of the old Jewish establishment, to the barbarities of the pagan Empires it encountered along its way. And even now, pagans and unbelievers, benefit from its social values, and the care it provides through its institutions to thousands of people, regardless religion, sex or nationality.

It eventually became the biggest religion in the world, as it stands today; and its book, the Bible, the most famous and widespread book in the history of humanity; making the planet a better place to live.

Omar Flores.

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