Study: Matthew 13:31-32 "The Parable of the Mustard Seed"

Matthew 13: (31) “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: (32) Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.”

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!