The Parable Of The Mustard Seed Series

05. The Parable Of The Mustard Seed

Matt. 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19

INTRODUCTION

From the first two parables that Jesus taught and then explained, it is easy to conclude that the disciples may have been discouraged by what they heard...

• In “The Parable Of The Sower”, only one soil of four would be truly receptive to the Word sown

• In “The Parable Of The Wheat And Tares”, they learned that Satan would be doing his best to undermine the efforts of the Sower

Most bible scholars and commentators have suggested that the next two parables in Mt 13:31-33 were told by Jesus to encourage His disciples in reference to the kingdom

• The first parable is that of “The Mustard Seed” - Mt 13:31-32

• The second parable is that of “The Leaven” - Mt 13:33

• Both of which appear to describe the kingdom as destined for remarkable growth

It is tempting to deal with both parables in just one lesson. But that we might give each one its own undivided attention, this lesson will focus only on “The Parable Of The Mustard Seed”.

• This is said to be the COMPANION PARABLE to “The Parable of the Leaven.” As we have indicated above.

• Three gospel writers record this parable (Matt. 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19).

We will examine Matthew’s account

Matt. 13:31-32.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: 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, like all parables, has one dominate lesson in it.

• The lesson is: “The Outward Growth of the Kingdom of God.”

I. THE MUSTARD SEED

A. THE PLANT ITSELF...

• The mustard seed was a common herb in Israel.

• The mustard plant is well known for its hot-flavored seeds

• Among seeds sown in a garden it was generally the smallest

• As a plant, it reaches ten, sometimes fifteen feet in height

• In the fall of the year, its branches have become rigid, and the plant often serves as a shelter for birds of many kinds

B. PROVERBIAL USES OF THE MUSTARD SEED...

• The mustard seed was used frequently to describe anything that is small in its beginning

• In the Jewish culture, the phrase “Small as a mustard seed.” indicated that which was small and insignificant.

• Jesus used it on another occasion to describe one’s faith

Mt 17:17 – 20 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me....18. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour….19. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?...20. And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

[With this understanding of the mustard plant and its seeds, perhaps we are better able to appreciate the meaning of the parable itself (please let us read Mt 13:31-32) again...]

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.

II. THE MEANING OF THE PARABLE

A. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN WOULD HAVE A SMALL BEGINNING...

1. Old Testament prophecy foretold this: Concerning the Messiah - cf. Isa 11:1; 53:2-3

Isaiah 11:1. And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Isaiah 53:2-3. For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him…3. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

2. Jesus said that the kingdom would begin very small, just as a mustard seed which is put into the ground.