Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like?
To what can I compare it?
It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.
When it was fully grown, it became a large bush
and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”
(Lk 13:18-19)

Ancient Israel’s image of itself was as tall as the cedars of Lebanon. What Jesus had in mind was a bit more humble . . . a mustard seed that becomes a large bush where the birds can build their nests. Of course, that’s the problem with the Kingdom of God . . . it’s not always what we expect!