-June 4, 2023-
Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,
“Then He said, ‘To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.’”
(Mark 4:30-32).
The term mustard seed is found seven times in the gospels. Each time, Jesus uses it to illustrate faith. Jesus told us that it is a picture of the kingdom of God. Parables are earthly stories that have heavenly meanings. Before there can be a mustard tree there must be a mustard seed. The mustard seed is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, but grows into a large tree with branches shooting out. The birds of the air can nest in its branches.
To fulfill its purpose, the tiny mustard be sown before it can be grown. The mustard seed is a picture of both saving faith and daily faith in the Lord. Just a small amount of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross brings eternal salvation. Therefore, the seed of the gospel is sown in our hearts and germinates into a saved soul.
Jesus also used the mustard seed as a picture of the daily faith we need to be victorious and joyous. When the disciples asked Jesus to “increase their faith,” He replied, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you” (Luke 17:6). We must walk by faith, exercise our faith, and grow in our faith. We just need to believe without doubting and trust without wavering.
Do you have faith like a mustard seed? The key to our faith is in the object of our faith. I may have faith in a pilot and in the aircraft he is flying, but if there is a mechanical breakdown it will crash. Jesus never fails, we can trust Him completely. Charles Spurgeon once said, “A little faith will bring your soul to heaven; a great faith will bring heaven to your soul.”
Have a blessed Lord’s Day walking by faith in Jesus. Stay safe and healthy.
Growing in faith day by day to walk with our Savior in His blessed way,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 