the Rev. Henry Huenemann
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed it in his field (Matthew 13:31).
Bible Reading
Mark 4:21-34:Devotional
The mustard seed, the "least of all seeds: when it is grown, is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof."
The usual explanation of this parable is that of the growth of the Christian Church. Of course, it is true that the Christian Church started with a few believers. On the first Pentecost there were three thousand. Shortly afterward there were five thousand. Later we read how the word of God grew and multiplied. But in the parable of the tares we have seen how the tares grew right among the wheat. And was there not always apostasy in the church? The children of Israel served idols. In the early Christian Church there were already many antichrists. At the time of the Reformation the Church had almost entirely lost the true doctrine. And today the International Council of Churches is a mighty organization, but where is the true doctrine of salvation by grace, through the blood of Christ? The true Church has always consisted of an afflicted and poor people. As soon as the Church becomes great in the eyes of the world, it ceases to be the true Church. Is not this what Christ wanted to teach in this parable? The birds came after the plant had grown big! The birds in the parable of the sower devoured the good seed. Babylon, the fallen church, "is become the habitation of devils . . . and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Let us beware of false doctrine.
Prayer
Our Father in heaven, we thank Thee that Thou hast formed Thy Church here on earth; that Thou hast given her Thy Word, and that by Thy Holy Spirit Thou dost lead Thy children into all truth. O, may we love Thy truth. May we never incline our ears unto false doctrine. Increase Thy Church, O God, and destroy the works of the devil. May we be faithful in confessing Thy truth. Pardon our sins. For Christ's sake. Amen.
Scripture in Devotional: Acts 12:24; 19:20; 1 John 2:18; Zeph. 3:12.
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