Scripture Passage: Mark 4:30-32
“but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”
Mark 4:32 NLT
A few years ago, my husband and I discovered what we thought was a large weed growing in our flower bed.
We talked about digging it up, but we got busy and forgot.
I’m glad because one morning I saw beautiful pink flowers. What we almost dug up was a peony plant.
Each May, these flowers remind me that God seems to have a green thumb. He can take small – or even ugly – beginnings and grow something beautiful.
We learn this in the parable of the Mustard Seed. Jesus told the story because people often underestimate what initially appears unimpressive.
For example, the Jews thought the Messiah would be a great king and a political leader who would defeat their enemies and usher in a golden era of peace and prosperity.[i]
But the ministry of Jesus didn’t look like that.
People thought Jesus’ miracles were nice, but they wondered, wasn’t the Kingdom of God supposed to look different[ii]?
Like them, we also forget how God can grow big things from small seeds.
The parable of the Mustard Seed – and my peonies – remind me never to underestimate what God will do.
[i] Lockyer, Herbert, et al. Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible. T. Nelson Publishers, 1986, 700.
[ii] Snodgrass, Klyne. Stories with Intent: A Comprehensive Guide to the Parables of Jesus. William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 2008, 225.
About the Author:
Laura Lacey Johnson is the author of 10-Second Prayers to Transform Your Life: From the Parables of Jesus. In addition to writing, she is a speaker at conferences and churches. To watch Laura’s video devotionals, or to download your FREE copy of 3 Little-Known Reasons Christianity Transformed the World, visit her website at www.lauralaceyjohnson.com.