By Pastor Steve Nickodemus
God’s Ways
“…The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
Matthew 13:31-32 English Standard Version
Sunflowers and corn dominate our garden this year. They both began in the smallest and humblest of ways; with a few small seeds placed in the ground and watered and weeded. They have grown tall and productive, multiplying many times from their original beginning.
Jesus told this story of the mustard seed and it illustrates something about the kingdom of God in my own life. The Good News of Jesus was planted in the most humble ways into my heart at an early age. And that faith that sprang up in me was watered and weeded by many faithful people, encouraging me to grow in following the Lord and discouraging me from wandering away from him.
And that original small seed of the Gospel grew and grew and continues to grow. And that Good News has gone out from me and been planted in many other hearts. And sometimes I am able to spiritually water and weed other’s faith in their growth in Jesus. Some of the most awesome moments in my life have been when I have seen the Good News of Jesus multiplied in other people and they in turn plant that Gospel seed in other’s lives.
Perhaps today would be a good day to do three things. First, contact those who have planted the Gospel in your life and say thank you for their faithfulness. Second, give thanks to our Lord Jesus for his humble sacrifice that he made upon the cross so that we might have the Gospel planted in our hearts. Third, pray that you might see and seize the opportunity to plant the Good News of Jesus into someone’s life today.
What a miracle this is! That with such a small planting of the Gospel such a great growth might come about! Praise God for Jesus and his love for you and me! Amen!
Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado
