Explaining to His disciples what in modern language might be called the dialectic of the Kingdom, Jesus compares it to a mustard seed, almost unnoticeable because of its size, yet later able to grow into a tree that only...
Explaining to His disciples what in modern language might be called the dialectic of the Kingdom, Jesus compares it to a mustard seed, almost unnoticeable because of its size, yet later able to grow into a tree that only a blind person could fail to notice. Such is the history of the Kingdom entering our untransformed world, a world permeated by forces of evil that resist this Kingdom with all their might. It can enter such a world only from within, penetrating it unnoticed with one Man who will lay its foundation.
Of course, both in Gospel times and today, many would like the Kingdom to enter the world at once in its fullness, so that its triumph would immediately become visible to everyone and no one could have any doubt about the meaning of what is happening. But such an entry of the Kingdom into the world would perhaps have been possible only if the world had not once undergone the tragedy of the Fall. Then, by the time of the Messiah's coming, the world might already have been ready for the triumph of the Kingdom. But by definition, a fallen world cannot be ready for this. It must be prepared for transformation, just as every individual human being wounded by sin must be prepared for it. And just as an individual needs time for such preparation, so does the world as a whole. This preparation, it seems, is precisely the meaning of what might be called the history of the Kingdom entering the world.
By using parables, Jesus seeks to convey to His disciples this truth, seemingly simple yet difficult for the mind to grasp. Conveying it was evidently very important, not only because an adequate understanding of the nature of the Kingdom was at stake, but also because its history presupposed a fairly long spiritual and life journey awaiting everyone who sought the Kingdom and everyone who dwelt in it. Figuratively speaking, every follower of Christ had to prepare not for a sprint but for a long-distance race. It was better for everyone to know this in advance.
7 Nathan approves David's design of building an house for God, Sa2 7:1-3.
God forbids it, but promises to bless him and his seed, Sa2 7:4-17.
His prayer and thanksgiving, Sa2 7:18-29.
7:18 In - Into the tabernacle. Sat - He might sit for a season whilst he was meditating upon these things, and then alter his posture and betake himself to prayer. Who am I, etc - How infinitely unworthy am I and my family of this great honour and happiness!
7:19 This - Which thou hast already done for me, that thou hast brought me hitherto, to that pitch of honour, and peace, and prosperity, in which through thy favour I now stand.Was small - Though it was more than I deserved, or could expect, yet thou didst not think it enough for thee to give to me.A great while - For many future ages, and indeed to all eternity.Is this, etc - Do men use to deal so kindly with their inferiors, as thou hast done with me? No: this is the prerogative of divine grace.