He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

My family plants a garden every year. My youngest son helps sell the produce. The one item that seems to keep producing on abundance every year is the cherry tomatoes. They just keep producing what almost seems like an endless supply.

A mustard seed is similar in that it is a small seed which produces a big tree.

As I work in sales, I’m always looking for referral sources who can reproduce referrals over and over again. I try to figure out how to make it worth their while because they keep sending in business.

Jesus is trying to explain to his disciples that following him and being a member of God‘s kingdom is similar. We serve the Lord and do his work. The harvests are incredible.

This definitely relates to the harvest of souls. But I also think it relates to the harvest of spiritual growth, the harvest of tried and true friendships, and the harvest of rewards from having God‘s Spirit alive and active in our hearts.

It is very interesting, though, that there is some work required before the tree shows up. There is also work required before the cherry tomato bush produces its fruit. The seed has to be planted. The seed has to be watered. The sun has to shine. And the weeds must be pulled.

This is also a great parallel for the hard work of following Jesus. It requires more of us because we are called to be selfless and serve.

Lord, help me to get excited about being selfless and serving because the rewards are incredible. Sometimes I feel tapped out and I need to either take a break or ask you or others for help. But in the end, following your plan, doing your work, is the best place I could ever be.