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January 26, 2026

Larger Than Life: The Growth of the Kingdom

by Jason Neill

Scripture reading: Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19

“And he (Jesus) said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade’” (Mark 4:30-32, ESV).

Rose Hill, North Carolina boasts of having the world’s largest frying pan; it’s 15 feet in diameter and weighs two tons. Similarly, Anniston, Alabama has the world’s largest office chair. It stands 33 feet tall. It was built using 10 tons of steel and is anchored in 15 tons of concrete to ensure it doesn’t blow away during a storm. Both are very impressive, although I haven’t seen either one in person.

We tend to be impressed with things that are larger than life. The amount of energy and time that went into constructing such items is, well, impressive. This week, Jesus tells a story about what the kingdom can be compared to. He takes one of the smallest seeds that a farmer would have used during the 1st century and states the kingdom of God is like that seed.

He’s alluding to the small beginning of Christianity. Granted, Jesus had 12 disciples and some followers beyond the apostles, so its start was small. “Yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” Following Jesus’ death and resurrection, the church exploded in growth. If you don’t believe me, just read Acts 2. Three thousand people responded to the Apostle Peter’s sermon (see Acts 2:41). The rest of the book of Acts shows the fulfillment of Jesus’ parable. The followers of Christ were a small crowd, but they quickly grew.

Application

One final point. Please take note of Jesus’ words, “so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” The birds found rest. This is exactly what Jesus offers. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30, NASB).

The words “come to me” are Jesus’ invitation to trust in Him alone for the free gift of eternal life. The people of Jesus’ day were under the oppressive religious requirements of the Pharisees, who made it exceptionally difficult to enter the kingdom. In fact, Jesus critiqued their focus on external rituals, which led nowhere spiritually, in both the Sermon on the Mount and Matthew 23. Far from the Pharisees' heavy burdens, true rest is found only by "coming to Jesus.”

Following his invitation to trust in Him, Jesus encourages his listeners to “take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Here he invites us to become disciples (the word means “learner” or “student”). We are encouraged to learn to bring our lives in alignment with his teachings. As we do, let’s share the good news of eternal life found in Jesus alone so others might find rest for their souls and continue to cause the kingdom to grow.