Another parable Jesus used likens the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed in Matthew 13:31-32. The mustard seed referred to here is apparently not the annual plant we likely think of immediately today, but a much larger specimen, whose seed was very small but grew very large. The combination of these provide an appropriate illustration of the kingdom of heaven (or of God), the church which began small with Jesus and a few followers, but like a seed it would grow into a worldwide institution attracting people from every walk of life; birds in typology represent spirit beings, often evil spirits, and men held captive under their sway would come to find victory and rest in its “branches”. At the same time impostures would also settle there, those having a “form of godliness but denying its power” 2 Timothy 3:5, and those perverting the gospel; Jude 1:12 says these are “spots (stains or hidden reefs) in your love feasts”. Much like the tares of Matthew 13:25-40. And the picture extends to each individual making up this kingdom. The gospel comes first to us as a seed, Luke 11:8-15, which when received and nourished, grows into a mature and fruitful plant, see James 1:21-22; Then 2 Peter 3:18 tells us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”. From a small beginning to a mature and fruitful life! And yes, God is still looking for seed sowers, a maturing harvest, and those who “follow on to know the Lord” Hosea 6:3 KJV.
The mustard seed
By Rose Hill
Oh the wonder of it all,
That things that are so small.
So very large will grow,
How they do it I don’t know.
That a mustard seed so small,
It’s hardly anything at all.
Grows up so big and strong,
And it doesn’t take very long.
Oh the wonder of it all,
I started with a faith so small.
Each day the word of God I read,
And it grew in me as God had said!
Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.