Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” - Mark 4:30-32When you walk into most churches on Sunday morning, you don't realize it, but the air is being processed by machinery under the control of computer software. Likewise, the light is often controlled by a sophisticated controller that allows pre-programmed settings to set the mood and highlight specific points of interest within the sanctuary. A mixer board manages and massages the sound produced by the instruments to blend together for a pleasing effect. Working together, these create an environment meant to complement the message and help the people be prepared to receive it. We've probably all noticed when it wasn't working: ice-box air, silenced instruments or voices, empty spotlights.
What does it look like when the kingdom of God is present at work? At home? In a church? Jesus points to it when he mentions that the mustard seed grows to a full-sized tree "with such big branches that birds can perch in its shade." The tree creates a new environment which allows the birds can now escape the heat of the day and rest. They can build nests, escape predators and raise their young. In Biblical terms, where the kingdom of God is made manifest, there is peace, or shalom or (to my thinking) an environment where others can thrive.
To extend the parable a bit further, some plants do not create this kind of environment. Some plants poison the ground underneath their canopy so that no other plants can grow there-a trait known as allelopathy. Some plants produce spines that limit which kinds of animals can climb or land on the branches.
What does it look like when other kingdoms reign instead of the kingdom of God? Elimination of the competition, suppression of those within the reach of our influence, withdrawal of help and support, to name a few, and sucking up resources for self.
The kingdom of God extends to wherever its citizens are active. What would it look like if the kingdom of God showed up in your office? In your home? In your church? In your neighborhood? In your country? You and I are there, so there is some provision-however small-has been made by God for the kingdom to establish a foothold in all of those places. We all may have ideas about what the kingdom of God should look like, but Jesus' point in this parable is that, as his representatives, we create an environment where others can thrive, the kingdom of God is gaining a foothold.
It will always imperfect in this age, because the world is not perfect and neither are we. Entropy reigns and selfishness corrupts. Only in Christ and his kingdom is there hope for anything else.
We are all called in ordinary ways to use the grace given us to provide that canopy under which others can thrive. This is me as a manager, a parent, a spouse, a neighbor and a part of my church. Check yourself-before looking for excuses: Are the people around you trending towards wholeness? Are you being honest with yourself about the influence you are actually having on them? You been given the grace to make a difference?
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