Shade for the Birds

And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it? 31“It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil, 32yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR can NEST UNDER ITS SHADE.” Mark 4:30-32 NASB

How large does this little mustard seed become? Jesus says that when this little seed has grown it will be larger than all of the other garden plants with large branches that will provide shade to the birds of the air and a place for them to nest. As we read the parable of the sower of seeds we come to realize that Jesus is talking about the hearts and minds of people, not actual wheat. What does Jesus mean by "birds" here in verse 32? Two times in the gospels Jesus uses the term birds to describe two different things. One is in reference to human affairs and worrying, and the other to describe spiritual, satanic entities. The first is found in Matthew 6:25-26: “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 
In the verses, Jesus is demonstrating the care-free lifestyle of birds in comparison to worries that humans face. Jesus is trying to get us to see how birds do not worry, yet they have all that they need, so why do we worry. The worries and cares of this world are experienced by everyone to different degrees. But a constant state of worrying or anxiety will often reveal a double-minded heart, or will lead to double-mindedness which will choke out the life of Christ in us. When we worry or have anxiety, it is usually because we do not fully trust in the good and all satisfying God of creation. A life of constant worry cannot be endured for a long period of time. If worry and anxiety are not dealt with, it will eventually lead to isolation which leads to depression and eventual death; spiritual or physical. This is why we as a church need to understand what Jesus is trying to show us and how important these verses in Mark 4:31-32 are for those who do have the seed of God growing in them. 
The word that Jesus uses for “nest” in verse 32 means to take up quarters or set up camp; to find a place to dwell. There are many people in this world (maybe even you reading this) that need a place to come and dwell and camp-out for a while. The scorching sun (see Mark 4:5-6) is beating down on them and they cannot endure it any longer. They are afraid, worried, anxious, and they feel alone. They are about to wither away if they cannot find a place of shade to dwell under. This is what the church is meant to be. A tree that has grown with large branches for the "birds of the air" to come to when they need rest. The beautiful thing is once they experience that type of rest, they will no longer desire to leave the secure branches of the shade tree.
Jesus, Himself is our example in this. He made it clear who He was calling to Himself in Matthew 11:28 when He said: "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." That heart of Christ and mission of Christ is now being continued through His church. Have we allowed the seed of God in us to grow to such an extent that we now are a place of shade and refuge for those facing the scorching trials of this world? 
But that's not all that Jesus describes these beautiful, large trees as being. He says that the birds of the air will be able to nest "under" us. The word for “under” in verse 32 means to come under the authority of someone as a subordinate; to come under and remain under someone else. Jesus is saying that when this seed has been sown, and when it has become fully grown, it will be a place for the birds of the air to come up under and experience shade. This is a great picture of what we call discipleship today. Not only are we to be a place of rest from the worries of this world but we are also to lead, direct, encourage, and teach those that have come up under us. We are to direct them to God's word and show them what God says about the bombardment of lies from the devil and this world. 
Lucifer is raging right now like the blazing, burning sun. He has a purpose of destroying lives and keeping people blinded to the gospel. As people of Christ, we need to realize our calling in response to this activity of the devil. Let us be a place that provides shade and instruction to those being afflicted today. This isn't the role of a pastor; this is the calling of anyone who has the seed of God growing inside of them. Trust in the word that was sown in you and let it grow, stand tall, and see how God will use you to show His love to those in need. 

Questions to Consider:

1. Do you know someone that is facing trials right now? How can you be a place of shade to them? 

2. Who is someone that provided shade and instruction to you during trials in your life? Maybe they need the same encouragement they provide to you. I encourage you to reach out to them as the Lord leads.