The tiny mustard seed

The tiny mustard seed

Scripture:

 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.”

He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds^] of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:

“I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world. Matthew 13:31-35

Observation:

In this passage, we look at two more of the Lord’s parables concerning the kingdom of heaven. In the first parable, He speaks of the kingdom being like a mustard seed which a man takes and plants in his field. Even though the mustard seed is the smallest of seeds, it grows into the largest of garden plants, and even becomes a tree big enough for birds to come and perch on its branches.

The mustard seeds are so small you could typically hold hundreds of it in your palm. However, they grow to a height of up to 9 feet.

Another feature of the mustard seed is that once it is sown in an area, it is scarcely possible to get the place free of it as it germinates the moment it is sown.

Looking back over the history of Christianity, we can see how it started from very small beginnings, and has now grown to be the world’s largest faith. Like trying to get rid of a mustard plant, the Roman empire tried their best to eradicate Christianity but instead watched it grow even faster to the point that they at last made it the official religion of the empire under Constantinople. The same phenomenon was seen in China. As the Communists tried to eradicate Christianity from China through persecution, it just grew even faster through the house churches and in the end, they gave up and instead tried to control it by having an official state-approved Church where Christians could go to legally.

The parable of the yeast has the same principle. Just a little yeast ferments a large mass or lump of dough working all the way through it. Similarly, Christianity is like that little yeast, starting with very small beginnings but successfully working through the whole mass of humanity.

On a personal basis, this parable is also very applicable. Even a very small Word spoken in faith or a small act of obedience can suddenly grow and grow to heights far greater than we could ever hope for or imagine.  Locally, megachurches like FGA, DUMC and SIB in the Klang Valley today just started with small groups of 20 or 30 and grew incredibly over the years to thousands.

Individually, we might be like a tiny mustard seed, a mere ripple in the vast ocean. However, if we submit ourselves to God, and obey Him one step at a time, we have exponential potential to grow and grow to unbelievable heights. It is God who makes us grow just as He makes the plants of the earth grow. When we first receive the Lord in simple faith, it is like a mustard seed has germinated within us and He is able to make that faith grow and grow and lead us from glory to glory in ways we could never imagine.

The imagery of the birds perching on the branches of the mustard seed plant, gives us the perception of it being a place of rest. Birds cannot fly all the time, they need to settle down in a safe, high place after a while to rest. In a sense, the mustard seed is also representative of our Lord Himself. His earthly life was only a few short years, but the impact of His life, death and resurrection, has affected the world more greatly in history, politics and culture than any other person or group or event. Remember the Lord’s words for all who are weary to come to Him, for He will give them rest.  

Application:

Remember the lesson of the mustard seed and the yeast, that from small beginnings, God is able to make it truly great and wonderful in His time. Our part is to serve Him, one Word at a time, one act of Obedience at a time. The growth is completely His prerogative. Our part is to serve and let Him do His will in His will. 

Praise the Lord, that He is our rest. Like the birds of the air rest on the branches of a tree, let us take our rest in the Lord who gives us peace.

Prayer:

Praise thee, Father in Heaven, for the parable of the mustard seed and the yeast that You showed to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. Stir that mustard seed You have placed within me. Make it grow and germinate, causing me to be more and more hungry for You. Lift me up I pray, Lord, according to Your precious will. Lead me on from glory to glory according to Your precious Word.

Praise thee, Lord Jesus, for You are my rest. In You I have peace and freedom from the worries and stresses of the world. In You O Lord I put my hope. In Jesus name, Amen.