OUR SCRIPTURE INTRO

OUR SCRIPTURE INTRO

 

Wonder with me how significant Jesus' ministry first began. Sure, throngs of people lined the streets of Jerusalem during what we can picture as a parade of palms, but we know the cheering crowd so quickly turned. Jesus went from pop culture fame to someone sentenced to an awful way to die.

 

As we begin to enter our mustard seed scripture this Sunday, June 16, consider the facts. The upstart had only a handful of eclectic followers. Those He called were undereducated and far from influential. This street preacher (among other street preachers) was a man of no rank or means. He was a carpenter's son, not one of royalty or fame. He did know scripture, but he also came from a backwater region of the world.

 

In the grand scheme, some could argue that the life and death of Christ did not catch the world’s attention any more than a mustard seed would on the dusty ground by the road.

But that mustard seed grew. With what we need, which is what Jesus offers, we can grow, too.

 

The Parable of the Mustard Seed is contained in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 4:30-32 and Luke 13:18-19). In this parable, Jesus predicts the amazing growth of the Kingdom of God. The mustard seed is quite small. However, it grows into a shrub that stands up to ten feet high!

 

It's time to grow and shine even more with who Jesus was, and who Jesus is.

 

Our Father's Day scripture follows.

 

Gospel Mark 4:26-34 New Living Translation

26 Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. 28 The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. 29 And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.”

30 Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? 31 It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, 32 but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”

 

33 Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. 34 In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.

 

 

 

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