Mustard Seed
Poem – Steven Moe
Mark 4:30-34
The Parable of the Mustard Seed.
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.”
When describing a kingdom always take care to ensure that you use many superlative adjectives to impress the listener. Also ensure they match
the true grandeur of your comparison, perhaps something like:
“Clear diamonds, like ice, sparkling in the new born sun
set in a heavy golden crown resting on the
noble king’s forehead as he surveys
a procession of his vast armies.”
Avoid the commonplace and the everyday, such as seeds, which look dead. Or mustard plants.
(avoid plants of any kind, in fact). For you see, seeds are small and
cannot represent a
kingdom.
Why, you don’t want people to start to think that your kingdom might actually be
the opposite of what a person
would invent, now
do you?
So go big and go grand! Make them feel unworthy to even be in your
presence. Otherwise,
well, otherwise …
Comparing your kingdom with a small dead seed may mean they believe what they offer you
(even the pain and failure) might grow.
And that even if a seed starts small
they might start thinking
New life could rise.
