Bible Society of South Africa

Seeds of power – 8 March 2022

By Xanthe Hancox

Se(di)ngolwa (t)sa Bibele

MATHEU 13

Setshwantsho sa tlhaku ya mosetareta

31Jesu a ba bolella setshwantsho se seng hape, a re: “Mmuso wa mahodimo o tshwana le tlhaku ya mosetareta, eo motho a ileng a e nka, a e jala tshimong ya hae. 32Ke yona e nyenyane ho feta dipeo tsohle, empa ha e se e hotse, e feta ditlama tse ding tsohle ka boholo, e be sefate seo dinonyana tse fofang di ahelang makaleng a sona.”

MATHEU 13:31-32SSO89SOBula ka mmadi wa Bibele

I love adding mustard seeds when I’m making curry. They are tiny and go everywhere if you knock the jar over, but they really pack a punch when it comes to adding flavour and texture. Today’s parable does not go into the culinary benefits of mustard seeds, but I think the sentiment is much the same – how something so small can have such a big impact.

Though the mustard seed was the smallest of seeds known to Jesus’ listeners, what would it do? Jesus said, “When it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree.”

The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. Jesus’s kingdom may look small and inconsequential, but it has the potential to grow huge to spread everywhere.

And we might think that our efforts in growing the kingdom of heaven are insignificant, but let’s not overlook God’s power potential. We are called to marvel at the tiny seed, every new believer, every tiny glimpse of the kingdom of heaven – to marvel and wonder what power and potential God has poured into it.

Remember that God changed the course of history with just a few believers, who shared the good news of Jesus with others, who spread it further and further. To God be the glory!

Prayer: Lord we look eagerly for more and more delightful signs of your kingdom growing everywhere. Give us eyes to see, and hearts that rejoice! Amen

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