芥菜种
在今天的经文中，耶稣又讲了一个种子的比喻——这一次是芥菜种，它是百种里最小的。
我们往往不喜欢微小的事物。在很多方面，我们都认为“越大越好。”拥有大房子、存款多的人似乎更加重要。在社会上投资越多，职位越高，我们就会给予越多的关注。每个人都想参与某件大事。小事不被重视，不被认真对待。小事无足轻重。
对耶稣的听众来说，尽管芥菜种是他们印象里最小的种子，但它会怎么样呢？耶稣说：“等到长起来，却比各样的菜都大，且成了树。”这真是个惊喜！神的国就像一粒芥菜种。它看起来可能像一粒小小的种子，但它有发展壮大的潜力——甚至还能传播到各处。
我们可能认为，那些天国子民的努力是微不足道的，但是，希望我们不要忽视神那潜藏的大能。我们被呼召，去惊叹于天国哪怕最微小的呈现——惊叹诧异神在其中倾注了怎样的能量和潜力。
要记得，神仅仅使用了少数几个信徒就改变了历史的进程。他们将耶稣的福音传给他人，越传越广。荣耀归给神！
主啊，我们热切期望有更多令人欣喜的迹象，看到你的国度在各处蓬勃生长。求使我们眼睛能看见，使我们的心欢喜快乐！阿们。
马太福音 13:31-32
31 他又设个比喻对他们说：“天国好像一粒芥菜种，有人拿去种在田里。
32 这原是百种里最小的，等到长起来，却比各样的菜都大，且成了树，天上的飞鸟来宿在它的枝上。”
Mustard Seeds
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.” — Matthew 13:31
In today’s verses Jesus tells another seed parable—this time about a mustard seed. It is among the smallest of seeds.
We tend not to like things that are small. In many ways, we think “Bigger is better.” The person with the big house and big bank account is seen as more important. The larger the portfolio or the position in society, the more attention we give and get. Everyone wants to be part of something big. Small is not valued, not to be taken serious. Small is inconsequential.
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.” Surprise! The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. The kingdom of heaven may present itself like a small seed, but it has the potential to grow huge—and even to spread everywhere.
We might think that the efforts of people presenting the kingdom are insignificant, but let’s not overlook God’s power potential. We are called to marvel at even the least presentation of the kingdom—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!
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.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
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