The Mustard Tree

Mark 4:30-32 ~ “And he said, 'With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet 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.'”
 
There are believers who see themselves as insignificant and of little use to the LORD. They can only see themselves as a small, unimportant aspect of the kingdom of Christ. Beloved, that is not at all true. God does not make you new so that you are left with no real worth. As a new creation in Christ, the LORD has purposely determined that the condition you are in is truly the right and most necessary one for you at that time. It is the LORD who places the good works before us as revealed in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Do not think that for one moment your station in life is inconsequential. You and I have no notion of God’s great purpose. We are called to be His, and what He does with us is in His will.
 
As we consider the Scripture for today, the first thing you must understand is that you are strategically imbedded in your location. We read in our text today, “It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground.” The seed of the mustard tree is not a plant that gets scattered like wheat. This plant is placed with purpose—strategically situated by the Master. Psalm 80:8-9, “You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land.” As God did for Israel, taking them out of Egypt and planting them in the land of Canaan, He has done with you—taking you out of the world and planting you in your current situation that you might grow and serve Him right where you are.
 
Moving from there, in the eyes of the world you might seem insignificant. Our text continues, “is the smallest of all the seeds on earth.” The world often considers those who follow Christ as the “smallest” of mankind. Holding to a faith that is built upon antiquity, we who believe on Jesus are relegated as inconsequential for we never seem to “get with the times.” Some Christians begin to believe what the world says about them, and turn to the tactics of the world to try and do the LORD’s work. Yet, consider what Paul told the church in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” Some believe that God should choose the best and brightest in the world to use their fame and stature to, somehow, enhance His already absolute glory. It is the foolish and the shameful things God will use, displaying His power and His alone.
 
Let us rise to this, we are planted by God in the life we have and in Christ we are surprisingly important. Our text continues, “yet 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.” Do not think of the small plant that produces the yellow mustard that is used as a condiment. There is great importance to the mustard tree. It produces sweet fruit. And does not our LORD tell us that we are to be fruitful (see John 15:5). It possesses purifying properties. And, as the “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13) we remain in this world to try and help others find repentance from sin and holiness in Christ. It has a great capacity to succeed in circumstances unsuited for growth. For the Christian, growth often happens in the most tumultuous circumstances (see James 1:2-4). Dear Christian, these are the qualities that God is producing in you through your faithfulness to Christ. You have far greater worth through the LORD, for these same qualities are in you.
 
Our LORD tells us in  John 7:38, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” My friends, let these qualities of Christ flow from you that those who are in your life can experience the life-giving water of the LORD Jesus Christ. Do not count your importance or stature by worldly standards. If God has recued you from sin, He has also planted you strategically for His purpose. Serve where you are and know that the LORD will use you.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

---