Offering rest

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

OFFERING REST

Matt 13:31-32

31 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." 

NIV

This parable can be taken in two different, yet somewhat the same ways. First we could see this as the church or Christianity as a whole. That is it started out with Jesus bringing the twelve into the saving knowledge of his salvation. Then it began to grow and grow to such a large tree, a large universal church that many people can come and perch in its branches.  Because the church in general, regardless of denominational divides sits on every other street corner in plain view for many to just stop in for a peek as to what is offered. It has become in past years the largest of trees. However, as we have seen a great multitude deceived by Satan, Christianity may no longer be the largest tree in the garden. So then this view may not be the single most accepted one. The second way, and perhaps the true meaning of this parable has to do the growth within the personal believer. When we come to Christ, the very first time, it might be due to an emotional event, or we come with our emotions. We might also first come to Jesus in order to escape hell, or desire to go to heaven. Our only knowledge is truly the simple message of the gospel. In years past many witnesses for Jesus used what has been called Romans road. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God”, 3:23. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” 6:23. “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” 6:9-10. This is all we know. Other than these few verses we hear, we have little to know understanding of the whole of God’s word. But being in his garden now, and he, through the power of the Holy Spirit, tends to our growth. We grow into someone who has great understanding and in fact offer rest to others. But that is not the conclusion in itself, for as a plant or largest tree, we also bear fruit to be offered to those who are hungry. Mustard plants, as they grow, flower at a certain time, then begin to sprout pods of mustard seeds, providing both a crop of which we obtain mustard for our foods, and food for birds before it is harvested. Yet the ultimate reason is so others can find rest in our branches. They can find Jesus. So our Lord’s plan for us it to grow and grow and to continue to grow all the while offering his rest to the people of this world. It is not all about us, but about being who Jesus wants us to be, branches of the vine, himself, and offering his rest.