Lent 2026 Day 10: Sat 28 Feb
Mark 4:30-32
30 Then He asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God? With what parable shall we present it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds sown upon the earth. 32 But after it is planted, it grows to be the largest of all garden plants and puts forth great branches, so that the birds of the air nest in its shade.”
A mustard seed can grow to the size of a small tree. Those of us who look at fresh grocer’s mustard and cress seedlings as a sandwich filler may not see its potential for growth. The point Jesus is making is not, however, about the mustard plant but about the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven is not an object or a place but is about the change seen in us as we accept Jesus as Lord and allow him to establish his lordship in our lives. That’s kingdom-living, with heaven (the definitive infinite place) to follow! Jesus told us that his kingdom was not of this world – it does not conform to earthly principles and the systems we have created that attempt to bring us to live in harmony with each other. Those systems fail miserably because of our fallen human nature. God’s kingdom is based on true justice, righteousness, love, mercy and forgiveness. Father God has made himself known to us through the person of Jesus, who personifies those qualities.
The Kingdom, when we accept it in our lives, starts as a small seed, and it grows, often imperceptibly, into something greater than we can imagine. As we live according to Kingdom principles the Kingdom will be seen in us and become attractive to others. We can indeed put out branches and offer comfort and rest to others.
When I was a primary school pupil, our class 2 teacher told us that “Thy Kingdom Come” in the Lord’s prayer was a request to God to make our earthly kingdom like his heavenly kingdom. I was not sure if I wanted to be walking around in robes in a place where there were no bicycles, cars or buses, no telly or radio and probably no sweet shops.
I’ve grown up a bit since then, and understand concepts of righteousness, justice, mercy and freedom better, though we all might wonder whether any of us have a perfect understanding of these things. Time will tell.
How would you describe the Kingdom of God to others?
When we pray “Your kingdom come”, when do we think this will happen?
Father God, you have planted a seed in my heart. Teach me how to trust you that it will grow to maturity and fruition. Amen.
Paul