The kingdom

“Then Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches.”Luke‬ ‭13‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Salvador Persica is the name given to a mustard tree in Africa and the Middle East. In photos found on the internet birds were collecting in the tree. There was also a photo of the small seed.

Jesus likened the kingdom of God to this tree. When a small seed is planted birds are more interested in eating the seed, however, once the seed produces a tree it becomes a place of residence. The kingdom of God is a place of belonging. We can meet Christians all over the world and not speak their native language but have in common the kingdom of God. We are at once welcome.

I look out of my window and see a tree. When I first came to Kathmandu in February the tree was bare. However, perched up in the branches was a nest in which two parent birds cared for their young. As the season changed greenery adorned the branches and now many birds visit that tree either temporarily or permanently. At one time there were flowers at the top of the tree and birds came and ate the flowers.

Many people pass that tree but rarely do they stop and look. I am glad to be able to watch this kingdom in action. I am also grateful to be able to watch the kingdom of God in action.