Looking for a fit illustration to likeness the higher kingdom of Life, Love, and Truth, Jesus said, « Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God ? or with what comparison shall we compare it ? [It is] like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth : But when it is grown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herds, and shooteth out great branches ; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it » (Mark 4 :30-32). A divine idea manifests nothing but the divine Principle.
Each of God’s ideas, yet small, reflects and manifests the divine nature which is infinity, perfection, eternity. The infinity being perfect and eternal, all that He has created is perfect, eternal, and reflects infinity. There is nothing to add to the divine idea or to subtract from it. The idea has everything needed for its evolution and its mission in the universe. Every idea of God is in the business of his Father. Even the tiny mustard seed has always been in the business of eternal Life, Principle of the universe.
This infinitesimal mustard seed , according to the material senses, does not weigh much within the circles of birds’ influence. Yet how noble is its ultimate enterprise. The Christian Master explodes its evolution, the perfection of its final mission in the order of divine universe to the point of making use of a haven of peace for birds, beasts, and other divine ideas, within the compound of its authority. As the Bible declares, “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1 :26). The greatness of the mustard seed can only be revealed by the omnipresence and omnipotence of the universal Consciousness, as a wise man mentioned it : “…in thine hand [is] power and might ; and in thine hand [it is] to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name” (I Chronicles 29:12-13).
How countless ideas of the Creator, totally active, striving joyfully, are participating each one in its mission! God is Spirit, so whether for the case of the mustard seed or for man, Science clearly emphasizes that matter cannot perform the functions of Mind.
« The universe of Spirit reflects the creative power of the divine Principle, or Life, which reproduces the multitudinous forms of Mind and governs the multiplication of the compound idea man. The tree and herb do not yield fruit because of any propagating power of their own, but because they reflect the Mind which includes all » (‘Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,’ p. 507).
The mustard tree, which “rises, becomes more than all vegetables, and grows large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell under its shadow,” responds to the divine order or Principle of the universe. Mind alone is the source of all life, movement, evolution, emanation.
« Fear not, little flock ; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom » (Luke 12 : 32).
