The Kingdom of God and The Mustard Seed of the People of Earth

The kingdom of God exists as an idea of a single ruling religion, encapsulating the whole world. Defined by God almighty, told through his son Jesus, the kingdom of God, or kingdom of heaven as it is often referred too, serves as a guide for what we should expect as devotees. It will last for eternity encompassing the whole Earth. Jesus Christ suggested this very fact "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent" (Luke 4:43).” The kingdom of God is a direct result of the Second Coming of Jesus. The establishment of this world-wide religious occurrence is a wish from God himself.

Christ and the teaching of the parables

A parable’s a short succinct story that teaches the listener a lesson. Parables simply show a narrative, using three components a setting, an action, with a final consequence. Parables make complicated stories about spirituality, easy to digest and comprehend for the layperson. Examples of parables made an allegorical connection to ideas about nature, and contemporary social life, further strengthening their acceptance into the comprehension of everyday people. Misinterpretation from Christ’s followers of the parables became less widespread. Indeed parables help unite the true beauty and wonder between the spiritual teachings, and the physical world. Even today parables still hold incredible imagery and vital significance as much as they did in the time of Christ.

The Jesus Ministry began in 29AD after John’s baptism of Jesus “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.” (Matthew 3:13) The Jesus Ministry lasted roughly 3 1/2 years until Christ’s crucifixion 5 days before Passover in 33AD.

Sons of the Kingdom

The ministry taught people about the coming of the kingdom of God. The spread of acceptance surrounding this kingdom causes a ripple like effect throughout the earth. As the ripple spreads so it becomes stronger. The members, as referred to in the parables became defined as “sons of the kingdom” within the kingdom of God. Essentially all people remain the same, as the spiritual essence of the Jesus ministry recognises that all people are as one, regardless of age, gender, race, territory, culture, or any other visible externalising feature.

"Behold, a sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear" (Mt. 13:1-23).

Divine word becomes like a seed in this parable, as God prepares the followers for the kingdom of God. To accept the right path and not fall by the wayside’s a key to becoming a son of the kingdom. The parable tells how a seed-sower plants seeds yet some seeds become mislaid, falling onto barren rock and amongst thorns. Fowl eat some of the waylaid gains. So alas, all the misplaced seeds pass away. However many fall into rich sumptuous earth and spring into life. Vast amounts of crop spring from those seeds who accept fertile land. A poignant section of the parable exists as “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear” imploring people to beseech the words of God through the disciple Matthew. The analogy between those people who close themselves off from righteousness becomes illustrated through the presence of the barren thorns. The sun, as a symbol of nature, scorches the mislaid seeds. The good earth brings fruit and entrance into the kingdom of God.

"So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come" (Mk. 4:26-29)

As the seed grows so to does the patience of humanity in direct reference to the kingdom of God. We must maintain religious patience as we grow spiritually, like a grain of corn that grows from an immature seed to a healthy bushel. Treating those around us as equals, we have to grow to reach full spiritual maturity. People develop through different stages of life, in a similar way so corn growth varies. Baptism creates an ongoing process as a person matures in the yes of gracious God. An eagerness to grow actually marks an immaturity. It’s only as a person reaches full spiritual maturity that they can offer God such a vast bountiful fruit. This recognition’s allocated to God as a harvest, because he takes human life into himself. Thus the link between follower, God, and the harvest continues as a full harvesting cycle from birth to death. The final acceptance is in fact into the kingdom of God. However each person gathers maturity at a unique rate, some sooner than others as each person is unique in the eyes of God.

"The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof " (Mt. 13:31-32)

The mustard seed exists as a tiny minuscule starting point that generates growth into a substantial tree, averaging a stupendous twelve foot tall. It serves as a reminder that the kingdom of God serves to spred from humble beginnings to envelope the world in all its intentional glory. Often small churches exist throughout the earth, each serving as tiny representational mustard seeds, spreading the teachings of God to new believers. So the growth of the spiritual tree continues. The associations to the church grow as its branches reach further into local communities, as well as extending into new societies. Indeed countless people from numerous different countries find salvation in the branches of the mustard seed tree. This tree of course is a physical representation of Christianity. The birds like people find salvation. In many ways the mustard seed marks a transition in the human spirit, with the growth of religion as an expansive grace for all humankind into the kingdom of God.

Each parable holds a colourful story, serving to remind us all of the importance of God in our daily lives. Yet each remains unique in the visions they bestow.