Pythagoras and the Mustard Seed

Joshua Crawford

In the 6th century, just about everyone assumed the earth was flat; only Pythagoras stated otherwise, making him quite radical at the time.  That theory stood until Ferdinand Magellan sailed the circumference of the globe in 1519, proving to most that the Earth is indeed round.  Just think, a radical, unlikely idea one man held is now known to be fact by nearly everyone alive today.

In Mark 4:30-32, Jesus talks about the kingdom of God being perceived as unlikely.  “It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”  As Christians, we can witness the opponents of God growing in number, but that doesn’t change what God has promised to do.  The number who doubt Jesus is Lord may be great, but God seems to enjoy being the unlikely victor.  Consider how David overcame Goliath and later on replaced the larger, stronger Saul on the throne.  When God came to live among men, did he come as a king, a great warrior, or a carpenter from Nazareth?  “God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.”  (1 Corinthians 1:27)

Sometimes we may feel like lonely Pythagoras, holding onto a claim others regard as foolish, but the kingdom of God is coming and this is a cause for rejoicing!  “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  (Philippians 2:10-11)  There may be a cloud of uncertainty or doubt surrounding you today; you may be questioning whether or not this God business is for real.  Just as a round Earth is common knowledge today, soon the reality of the kingdom of God will also be known to everyone.  Thanks be to God His Spirit has shown us the truth!