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•30又说：“ 神的国，我们可用什么比较呢？可用什么比喻表明呢？31好像一粒芥菜种，种在地里的时候，虽比地上的百种都小，32但种上以后，就长起来，比各样的菜都大，又长出大枝来，甚至天上的飞鸟可以宿在它的荫下。”
•33耶稣用许多这样的比喻，照他们所能听的，对他们讲道。34若不用比喻，就不对他们讲；没有人的时候，就把一切的道讲给门徒听。
这些比喻并不是要让人迷惑，而是要用一种非常简单的方式来展示关于上帝国度的真理。在这里，耶稣用园子里的芥菜种的例子，来教导关于神国度的真理。神的国就像芥菜种一样 ，一开始可能只有一个小小的根，卑微弱小，但它会成长，最后变得非常伟大，超出人的想象。
你还记得加州的水晶大教堂吗?（水晶大教堂是由罗伯特·舒乐牧师（Robert H. Schuller）在50多年前创办，建造水晶大教堂共用掉了2000万美元。）大约四十年前我去过那个地方。多么漂亮的建筑啊!全是玻璃，配有华丽的风琴。它是最早的大型教堂之一。当我参观这个建筑时，有一件事触动了我。在整个参观过程中，我只见过一次上帝的名字，从来没有见过耶稣的名字。我到处看到罗伯特·舒勒牧师的名字，他和世界各地的政要合影。但是没有耶稣。连个十字架都没有。不久前，这座建筑被拍卖给了天主教会。（神的国不是这些外表的形式）没有耶稣和他的话语，神的国就不存在。
但无论在哪里宣讲耶稣，在哪里纯正的教导他的话语，你就会在那里找到神的国。一开始可能卑微弱小，但它总是会成长。有时这种增长是惊人的，比如在五旬节那天，有三千人信主。有时一次只增长一个，就像腓利向埃塞俄比亚的太监传福音，给他施洗。耶稣教导我们这个比喻是为了给我们信心，让我们相信神的话语一定会完成他的工作。
祷告:主耶稣，你的话语是大有能力和功效的!每当我有机会使用你的话语，或与他人分享你的话语时，请提醒我这个真理。阿们。
Mark 4:30-34: Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” 33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. (NIV)
The parables were not meant to be confusing, but to lay out the truths about the kingdom of God in a very simple way. Here Jesus uses the example of the mustard seed in the garden to teach a truth about his kingdom. It may have small roots and humble beginnings, but it will grow into something much greater that you can imagine.
Do you remember the Crystal Cathedral in California? I visited that place about forty years ago. What a beautiful structure! All glass with a magnificent organ. It was one of the first mega-churches. One thing struck me as I toured the facility. I only saw God’s name once, and never the name of Jesus. I saw Robert Schuler’s name everywhere, pictured with dignitaries all over the world. But no Jesus. Not even a cross. Not long ago it was sold on auction to the Catholic Church. Without Jesus and his Word, the kingdom of God cannot exist.
But wherever Jesus is proclaimed and his Word is taught in its truth and purity, there you will find the kingdom of God. It may have humble beginnings, but it will always grow. Sometimes that growth is dramatic, as in the day of Pentecost, when three thousand believed. And sometimes it grows one at a time, as when Phillip approached the chariot of the Eunuch of Ethiopia, whom he baptized. Jesus teaches us this parable to give us confidence in God’s Word to do his work.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, your Word is powerful and effective! Remind me of this truth whenever I have the opportunity to use your Word, or to share it with others. Amen.