Happy Wednesday! One tiny seed...Matthew 13

Have you ever seen a mustard seed?

 A mustard seed is so small that if you were holding one in your hand and dropped it on the ground, you might not be able to find it.  Even though the mustard seed is one of the smallest of all seeds, when it is planted in the ground, it grows into a plant so large that birds can perch on its branches and can even build their nests in it.

 I have read that these tiny seeds can produce a plant that grows ten feet high or more!  It is hard to understand how something that starts so small can grow into something that big! 

This past Sunday we read the "parable" of the mustard seed.   We learned that parables are stories Jesus told that had a hidden meaning.   

Jesus compared the mustard seed to the kingdom of God.  Jesus said, "How can I describe the Kingdom of God?    It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade" 

You can find the scripture in Matthew 13:31....look it up in your bibles!

You may ask how is that a picture of the kingdom of God? 

Well, when Jesus first began his earthly ministry, he had no followers.  The Bible tells us that Jesus was walking along the shore of the sea of Galilee when he saw two fishermen, Peter and his brother Andrew, casting their nets. 

"Come, follow me," Jesus said to them.    They immediately followed Jesus.   As they continued on their way, they saw two other brothers, James and John, mending their nets.   Jesus called them and they immediately left their nets and followed him.  One by one, Jesus called his disciples until there were twelve of them.  That is still a pretty small beginning, isn't it?  Jesus sent out the twelve and they brought others to Jesus and the kingdom of God grew.  

From a very small beginning, the kingdom of God has grown and grown until it has spread over the entire earth.

Jesus started growing the kingdom of God with a handful of disciples.  Every follower of Jesus is a part of the kingdom and that means that you and I are a part of God's kingdom.  Each time we tell someone about Jesus, we are helping to grow the kingdom.   Isn't it great to know that we can have a part in growing God's kingdom?

What can you do?

Invite a friend or neighbor to join you in Sunday School!   

August 14 we have our "Blessing of the Backpack" Sunday!    A great day for fun and fellowship and worship!   BRING A FRIEND!   Who knows....they may need to hear about Jesus.

Hope to see you all Sunday!