“He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? ¹⁹ It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”” Luke 13:18-19

“He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; ³² it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32

“He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? ³¹ It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; ³² yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” Mark 4:30-32

When we read the different versions of the parable of the mustard seed (in the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke), we see that there are variations in the details of the parable.  – look at the variations and ponder why they are different. In one the seed is sown in the field; in another in a garden; and in the third it is sown upon the ground. What do you think would account for the changes – the differences? In two of the versions, the seed grows up to be a great shrub – in the other it becomes a tree. A tree in a garden suggests a fruit-bearing tree in a small space – while a shrub in a field suggests something wild and invasive and out of control. 

When in your life have you experienced faith that was so small – the size of a seed? What has helped your faith grow? When have you felt your faith getting out of control?

Pastor Dave

“At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. ² He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? ³ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. ⁴ Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? ⁵ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”⁶ Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. ⁷ So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ ⁸ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. ⁹ If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:1-9

Is it enough to just have remorse for sin? Is it enough to feel bad about what we have done, and plan to never do it again? Jesus says, Repent, or you will perish.  Sounds like it isn’t enough to just be remorseful, but that we must turn (for repentance means to turn around) from the ways of our sinfulness and find a different path.  Even Paul says that we should not continue to sin even if we have this thing called “salvation by Grace through faith.” But then Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree – one of the parables that I think most clearly defines Grace…where we are always given another chance to be “fertilized” by our encounters with the risen Lord – which hopefully will bring us to bear fruit – fruit being love for G-d and each other. Repent – turn from your sinful ways – again and again we have the opportunity to repent and bear fruit. Day after day, year after year, we have chance after chance after chance to bear fruit for Jesus. But, when will be the year, or the moment, or the day, or the hour that we will be cut down? We don’t know…we don’t know. So, why wait? Repent – and bear fruit.

Pastor Dave