Chapter 5: Like a Grain of Mustard Seed

Chapter 5: Like a Grain of Mustard Seed
In the multitude that listened to Christ's teaching there were many Pharisees. These noted contemptuously how few of His hearers acknowledged Him as the Messiah. And without riches, power, or honor, how was He to establish the new kingdom?
--Christ read their thoughts and answered them:
"Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what

comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed," He said, "which, when it is sown upon the earth, though it be less than all the seeds that are upon the earth, yet when it is sown, groweth up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and putteth out great branches; so that the birds of the heaven can lodge under the shadow thereof." Mark 4:31,32 R.V.
--The germ in the seed grows by the unfolding of the life-principle which God has implanted.
*Its development depends upon no human power.
*So it is with the kingdom of Christ.
*It is a new creation.
*Its principles of development are the opposite of those that rule the kingdoms of this world.
--But the mustard seed was to grow and spread forth its branches throughout the world. So the work of grace in the heart is small in its beginning.
--The great leaders of religious thought in this generation sound the praises and build the monuments of those who planted the seed of truth centuries ago.
Q: Do not many turn from this work to trample down the growth springing from the same seed today?
And in this last generation the parable of the mustard seed is to reach a signal and triumphant fulfillment. 

The little seed will become a tree. 

The last message of warning and mercy is to go to "every nation and kindred and tongue" (Rev. 14:6-14). 

And the earth shall be lightened with His glory.