The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Introduction

I would be willing to think that if you ever think of the mustard seed, you would think of faith. You have probably heard many sermons on the verse from Matthew 17:20

Matthew 17:20 NIV84

20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

However, there is a parable of the mustard seed and there is no mention of the word faith. As we continue to look at the parables of Jesus from Mark’s Gospel, we travel from parables about new cloth and new wineskins, the sower, the lamp on a stand, growing seed and now a parable about the mustard seed. Listen to these words of Jesus, Mark 4:30-34

Mark 4:30–34 NIV84

30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.” 33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

First, notice the simple inquiry.

The Simple Inquiry (vs. 30)

I am reminded as I have studied this of the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 40:18

Isaiah 40:18 NIV84

18 To whom, then, will you compare God? What image will you compare him to?

Jesus is not asking a question that He does not already know the answer. However, He is asking a question that gives a point to ponder.

The Point to Ponder

Jesus always was asking questions. His ministry was about making people think. “What shall we say about the Kingdom of God? What parable should we use to describe it?” Jesus desires to draw us to His Father. I sat in the Garden of Gethsemane this past week and I read the beautiful priestly prayer that Jesus prayed. In that prayer, Jesus said:

John 17:23–24 NIV84

23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Jesus desires to draw us to the Father. He says, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God?” We know from scripture that the Kingdom of God is a place of unity and love. We know that the Kingdom of God is full of His glory. Jesus desires for everyone to be there so He asks, “How can I describe it for you?” Then He gives us plant to picture. “”

The Plant to Picture

Perhaps they have seen a mustard plant close by. I would imagine that is the case. The way Jesus teaches is by using a parable, an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. The mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds. It is 1/10 of an inch in size. One author writes that the mustard plant grows 10 feet tall. We did not get over to Mount Tabor on our trip but I am told that there is one of that size at a monastery near the Pool of Bethesda. It is not clear in Mark’s Gospel where Jesus was as He mentions this, but with His past methods, I am sure there had to be one close by.

The Parable to Process

Nevertheless, He gives us a parable to process. It is similar to the modern parable like statement that I read recently. “Great oaks from little acorns grow.” God is in His great power makes mighty things come from very small things. The simple inquiry that Jesus gives moves forward to give us the Savior’s insight.

The Savior’s Insight (vs. 31)

Verse 31 gives us a more detailed description.

A Small Seed

It is a small seed as we have already described. It is planted, and like the parable of the seed earlier in this chapter, it grows without any assistance from the sower. It is the genetic make-up that God has designed. It is not about something humanity brings about but something that God gives. That small seed produces a big plant but only by the design and power of God!

A Big Plant

The big plant becomes a large 10 foot tree. This picture shows the example of the mustard plant in present day Israel. They bloom this yellow flower in the fall and winter months before they are cultivated. The plant that Jesus is speaking of was of this variety but it was left uncultivated and it continued to grow big enough to allow “birds of the air to perch in its shade.”

The plant was known to grow in the wild and grow very fast. The point Jesus was making was that it was like the Kingdom of God and it was indeed a beautiful gift from God.

A Beautiful Gift

The beautiful gift of the Kingdom of God had started in Galilee in a very small way. The ministry of Jesus had started in what seemed to be an insignificant way and perhaps with weak beginnings. But He was demonstrating here that God’s reign will not only be more real than the world can imagine, but it will encompass more than it seems possible. Notice that Jesus was talking about the startup of inclusion.

The Startup of Inclusion (vs. 32)

So what was Jesus really talking about here in this parable. He was talking about the startup of inclusion. Interestingly, our society today tells us that we should be inclusive and have no differences. The truth of the matter is that we are all different and we come from different backgrounds. But all are welcome in the Kingdom of God. Mark 4:32

Mark 4:32 NIV84

32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.”

The small seed that is sown produces fast and great growth. There is power in growth.

The Power of Growth

The plan of God, in its various stages, is to bring His Messiah to full dominion over the earth.

Ephesians 1:9–10 NIV84

9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

The ministry of Jesus started small and then spread all over. Matthew 24:14

Matthew 24:14 NIV84

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

The birds of the air mentioned in Mark 4:32 is referring to different nations. There are several references in the Old Testament that help us here.

Ezekiel 17:23 NIV84

23 On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches.

Daniel 4:12 NIV84

12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, and the birds of the air lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.

Ezekiel 31:6 NIV84

6 All the birds of the air nested in its boughs, all the beasts of the field gave birth under its branches; all the great nations lived in its shade.

Birds are fascinating creatures. We can see many different types sitting in one tree. As they are sitting in that tree, they find a place of gratification.

The Place of Gratification

Do you see the parallel there? A bird sitting in a tree had protection from the storm and it is given an opportunity to rest and find comfort. Church, that is what we need to be doing as Christians. We have a Savior that invites us to the Kingdom of God so that we can be in fellowship with God and find comfort, peace and rest. We need to be a church that is inviting all types of folks!

This week as I walked around Israel, I wore a straw hat. I had people from many different nations strike of conversation with me. One asked me if I was from Texas. One called me Captain America. One asked me if I was from Denver. When I told him I was from North Carolina, he began to tell me of pastor friend he had in Cary, North Carolina. When he told me that, I saw the cross he was wearing around his neck and we started celebrating our kindred spirit together as believers in Christ. I had conversations with people from Macedonia. I helped baptize 3 people from the Philippines, 3 Afro-Americans from Georgia, and 2 hispanics from California. We hugged and celebrated our God and His plan of redemption! The church should be more about that mustard tree depicted in our scripture! Being able to sit down in peace and comfort to celebrate and grow the Kingdom of God! As I have thought about that, I am reminded that is the purpose of the Gospel.

The Purpose of the Gospel

2 Timothy 2:8–9 NIV84

8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.

Our purpose is to proclaim that gospel in a way that people from all over, every nation, will here the truth of God’s love!

Lastly, notice the significance interpreted.

The Significance Interpreted (vs. 33-34)

Mark 4:33–34 NIV84

33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

The Savior Speaking

We are fortunate to have the very words of our Savior speaking. “With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them...”

There is great power in our Savior speaking! We should listen and obey!

The Savior Shepherding

We also see the Savior, the Great Shepherd, doing His best shepherding. I am committed now more than ever to invest my life into yours, just like the model of our Savior.

1 Peter 5:2–4 NIV84

2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Jesus was teaching His disciples. He would spend time with them to teach them and help them grow in the grace and knowledge of our God and His great kingdom. He taught using parables, earthly stories with heavenly meanings.

The Savior Sowing

Mark 4:34 NIV84

34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

Jesus was sowing seeds into the lives of His disciples. As I look as this, I see the beauty of being alone with Jesus and Him explaining everything. It makes me want to know more. It makes me want to ask Him more. It makes me to be better. As a result, I will forever more pledge my allegiance to the Lamb for He has pledged His allegiance to me!

Glory to God!

I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb