This parable represents the church’s growth. Jesus uses the
mustard seed as an example of that growth. The mustard seed is tiny, must be
planted, germinates, grows slowly in the beginning, and in the proper climate
it grows into a substantial tree that birds nest in its strong protective
branches. So, likewise, the church may have begun small; however, it will
spread out continually and become proverbially greater than man’s mind can
comprehend.
“God’s kingdom has small beginnings; however, will grow and
produce great results” (Tyndale KJV Life Application Study Bible). Matthew
Henry says: “This parable is to show the beginnings of the gospel would be
small, but its latter end would greatly increase; in this way the work of grace
in the heart, the kingdom of God within us, would be carried on. In the soul where grace truly is, it will
grow really; though perhaps at first not to be discerned, it will at last come
to great strength and usefulness.” John Wesley stated: “So will the Christian
doctrine spread in the world, and the life of Christ in the soul.”
I pray I’ve not ventured ‘out on a limb’; but, I asked the
Holy Spirit to help me deliver the parallels that were triggered in my mind. I
hope you may ‘grow’ from these illustrations:
The Mustard Seed Became a Substantial Tree: A man took a
tiny mustard seed sowed it in his field; the seed died in the soil, germinated,
sprouted, and a tender plant emerged from the soil growing slowly. In the
proper climate with the man tending to it the seedling grew into a mighty tree of
great strength and usefulness and birds flocked to it for shelter in its strong
branches.
The Church Becoming a Mighty Kingdom: Men took Jesus the
Christ and sowed Him to a cross with nails. He died, was buried, defeated death,
and the third day rose from the dead and emerged from His tomb, which remains
empty. For forty days He appeared to many people before ascending back to Heaven.
In an upper room the remaining eleven Apostles and disciples were gathered
where the New Testament Church began growing and spreading out its branches.
With proper climate and nourishment from God’s Word and presence of the Holy
Spirit, the New Testament church began and is growing into a strong and mighty
kingdom to which sinners flock for shelter in its strong branches.
A Sinner Becomes a Substantial Christian: A sinner carries sin
seeds plowing a road to Hell. He/she learns that Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
died in their stead and provided payment for their sins. He/she truly repents, asks
forgiveness, and by faith accepts Jesus as his/her personal Saviour. Jesus
buries his/her sins in the soil of forgiveness. A newborn Christian emerges and
slowly starts growing. By being planted in the proper climate and being
nourished from God’s Word and Doctrines, he/she experiences spiritual growth becoming
a substantial Christian of strength and usefulness to God.
The Gospel will continue spreading to the uttermost parts of
the earth and souls will grow in grace. “That grace which leads the soul to the
fullness of glory may begin, and often does, in a single good desire - a wish
to escape hell, or a desire to enjoy God in heaven”
(Clarke).
God began His kingdom small in size. It grew slowly in the
beginning, as the mustard seed does, and His kingdom is growing as men do not
expect it to grow and He will show His might and power more than any man could
ever expect!
