inciples of development are the opposite of those that rule the
kingdoms of this world. Earthly governments prevail by physical
force; they maintain their dominion by war; but the founder of the new
kingdom is the Prince of Peace. The Holy Spirit represents worldly
kingdoms under the symbol of fierce beasts of prey; but Christ is
“the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John
1:29. In His plan of government there is no employment of brute
force to compel the conscience. The Jews looked for the kingdom
of God to be established in the same way as the kingdoms of the
world. To promote righteousness they resorted to external measures.
They devised methods and plans. But Christ implants a principle. By
implanting truth and righteousness, He counterworks error and sin.
As Jesus spoke this parable, the mustard plant could be seen
far and near, lifting itself above the grass and grain, and waving its
branches lightly in the air. Birds flitted from twig to twig, and sang
amid the leafy foliage. Yet the seed from which sprang this giant plant
was among the least of all seeds. At first it sent up a tender shoot,
but it was of strong vitality, and grew and flourished until it reached
its present great size. So the kingdom of Christ in its beginning
seemed humble and insignificant. Compared with earthly kingdoms
it appeared to be the least of all. By the rulers of this world Christ’s
claim to be a king was ridiculed. Yet in the mighty truths committed
to His followers the kingdom of the gospel possessed a divine life.
And how rapid was its growth, how widespread its influence! When
Christ spoke this parable, there were only a few Galilean peasants to
represent the new kingdom.
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Their poverty, the fewness of their numbers, were urged over and
over again as a reason why men should not connect themselves with
these simple-minded fishermen who followed Jesus. But the mustard
seed was to grow and spread forth its branches throughout the world.
When the earthly kingdoms whose glory then filled the hearts of men
should perish, the kingdom of Christ would remain, a mighty and
far-reaching power.
So the work of grace in the heart is small in its beginning. A word
is spoken, a ray of light is shed into the soul, an influence is exerted
that is the beginning of the new life; and who can measure its results?
Not only is the growth of Christ’s kingdom illustrated by the
parable of the mustard seed, but in every stage of its growth the
experience represented in the parable is repeated. For His church
in every generation God has a special truth and a special work. The
truth that is hid from the worldly wise and prudent is revealed to the
child-like and humble. It calls for self-sacrifice. It has battles to fight
and victories to win. At the outset its advocates are few. By the
great men of the world and by a world-conforming church, they are
opposed and despised. See John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ,
standing alone to rebuke the pride and formalism of the Jewish nation.
See the first bearers of the gospel into Europe. How obscure, how
hopeless, seemed the mission of Paul and Silas, the two tentmakers, as
they with their companions took ship at Troas for Philippi. See “Paul
the aged,” in chains, preaching Christ in the stronghold of the Caesars.
See the little communities of slaves and peasants in conflict with the
heathenism of imperial Rome. See Martin Luther withstanding that
mighty church which is the masterpiece of the world’s wisdom. See
him holding fast God’s word against emperor and pope, declaring,
“Here I take my stand; I can not do otherwise. God be my help.” See
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John Wesley preaching Christ and His righteousness in the midst of
formalism, sensualism, and infidelity. See one burdened with the
woes of the heathen world, pleading for the privilege of carrying to
them Christ’s message of love. Hear the response of ecclesiasticism:
“Sit down, young man. When God wants to convert the heathen, He
will do it without your help or mine.”
The great leaders of religious thought in this generation sound
the praises and build the monuments of those who planted the seed
of truth centuries ago. Do not many turn from this work to trample
down the growth springing from the same seed today? The old cry
is repeated, “We know that God spake unto Moses; as for this fellow
[Christ in the messenger He sends], we know not from whence he is.”
John 9:29. As in earlier ages, the special truths for this time are found,
not with the ecclesiastical authorities, but with men and women who
are not too learned or too wise to believe the word of God.
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men
after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; but God
hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and
God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things
which are mighty. And base things of the world, and things which are
despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring
to naught things that are” (1 Corinthians 1:26-28); “that your faith
should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1
Corinthians 2:5).
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And in this last generation the parable of the mustard seed is to
reach a signal and triumphant fulfillment. The little seed will become
a tree. The last message of warning and mercy is to go to “every
nation and kindred and tongue” (Revelation 14:6-14), “to take out of
them a people for His name” (Acts 15:14; Revelation 18:1).
