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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
On Jesus goes with another parable – another picture of the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God, as if to say to His disciples, “Now, think of this too”. We are in Matthew Chapter 13 and verses 31 to 35.
One feature has almost been implied, but now it becomes clearer and we have to come to terms with it for our encouragement, as well as to challenge us.
Growth is involved at one stage or another. The kind of growth and type of growth and quality of growth can be very different as it is described in these two parables, but growth is important.
The mustard seed was a by-word for being small – a pinhead – tiny – easily missed and, if dropped, it would be hardly noticed.
It would grow into quite a bush like a small tree – birds could rest in its branches.
What is Jesus saying? Do not despise the day of small beginnings!
Do not be deceived by appearances.
When this seed is in your hand even a puff of breath could blow it away.
When anything is being launched today it is launched with a great fanfare – a car – a book – a new television series, or documentary.
Jesus talks very differently, and Jesus engages very little hype.
It could be easily overlooked and missed, like the King of the kingdom in an outhouse in Bethlehem. That needed angels to come and inform some shepherds in a field about a mile away.
Or the apostles, locked away fearfully in an Upper Room. It is all so unpromising, and then the risen living Lord Jesus Christ appears.
You may sense that your Christian Life is so insignificant, and that no one is paying any attention to you and that you are on common ground with so few people, in the family, or at work, or in your street.
When you feel like running away, or giving in or giving up, or compromising or resigning, remember the Parables.
“I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed unto Him.”
The kingdom started small and Jesus was despised and crucified.
Yet, people come to rest in our branches.
Jesus does not say that your faith is like a mustard seed. Jesus says the kingdom is like that.
This kingdom provides shelter. Birds of the air represents, and stands for, nations round about, where people come for rest and safety and security and salvation.
Ezekiel speaks about all this too.
We think of the word kingdom as a territory with borders, but Jesus is meaning a kingship where Jesus is King, and where His kingship is acknowledged.
Rejecting Jesus means that you are not in His kingdom.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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