The Parables of Jesus. Pt. 2 A tiny seed, a large tree and God's kingdom.
Good morning to all of our Readers...
As we see in this picture of a tiny mustard seed on this person's finger, think about each of us believers on this earth. Together the body of Christ is like the mature Mustard tree full of beauty and producing fruits as God transforms us all together.
Photo of mustard seed and mustard tree.
Parable of the mustard seed.
Matthew 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: 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.
Jesus used several parables to show us what the kingdom of heaven will be like and this is one of them. The photo above is the salvadora persica mustard tree, considered by many to be the tree Christ referenced in this parable. The size of the seed is seen in the top photo.
Mustard is an herb that can grow profusely. In some instances if can reach 20 feet tall and has a small tree like form even though it is an herb. Often, fields of the herb size mustard plants are cultivated and they are very stunning when blooming.
Although Jesus interpreted the parable of the seed and sower and the parable of the wheat and tares, He did not choose to interpret this parable.
The idea seems to be that the kingdom of heaven begins on a very small scale. The tiny mustard seed represents the beginnings of the heavenly kingdom. Like the plant, the kingdom will be characterized by very rapid growth.
The birds lodging in its branches is something that happens when they are seeking rest and shelter. The definition of lodging is a place where someone stays temporarily.
I am sure you can see the fulfillment in the church of Jesus Christ. The kingdom of heaven began with a very small group of people, 120 to be exact. They were staying in Jerusalem awaiting the coming of God's Spirit as Christ promised to send. Christ was going to begin building His church and it would be a part of His heavenly kingdom.
Like the mustard tree the church had a small beginning.
Acts 1:15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
Like the mustard tree the church had rapid growth.
Like the mustard seed, the kingdom of heaven experienced explosive growth. 3,000 people were saved when the first sermon was preached by Peter. This was a brand new community of faith and people were drawn to salvation through Jesus Christ. People were being saved on a daily basis and this created exponential growth.
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Like the mustard tree the kingdom of heaven produces lasting benefits.
Acts 2:42-46 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
A mustard tree produces 2-3 inch long pods containing pea sized fruit with a single seed in each one. Mustard fruit has many beneficial things like vitamins, minerals and certain trace elements.
Thousands of lives were transformed by the power of the gospel. Those folks were faithful to the apostolic teaching, observing the Lord's supper (communion) and they were blessed with close fellowship with other newly saved Christians.
Their good testimony of radically changed lives impacted many others around them and fear came upon them as the apostles ministered with signs and wonders. Their hearts were knit together and they were very unselfish as they shared what they had with those who were in need.
Like the birds in the branches we are strangers temporarily dwelling on this earth.
Hebrews 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
The lives of all those saved in the early church were a manifestation of the kingdom of heaven. The texts from Hebrews 11 makes it clear that from Abraham onward, those who respond to God's calling by faith recognize that this world is not their final resting place.
Jesus went to prepare a place for us and one day He will bring us home to heaven to live with Him for eternity. We are looking for the city with immovable foundations built by God for us. We live here temporarily like the birds that shelter temporarily in the mustard tree branches.
Points to Ponder...
As we see in this picture of a tiny mustard seed on this person's finger, think about each of us believers on this earth. Together the body of Christ is like the mature Mustard tree full of beauty and producing fruits as God transforms us all together.
Photo of mustard seed and mustard tree.
Parable of the mustard seed.
Matthew 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: 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.
Jesus used several parables to show us what the kingdom of heaven will be like and this is one of them. The photo above is the salvadora persica mustard tree, considered by many to be the tree Christ referenced in this parable. The size of the seed is seen in the top photo.
Mustard is an herb that can grow profusely. In some instances if can reach 20 feet tall and has a small tree like form even though it is an herb. Often, fields of the herb size mustard plants are cultivated and they are very stunning when blooming.
Although Jesus interpreted the parable of the seed and sower and the parable of the wheat and tares, He did not choose to interpret this parable.
The idea seems to be that the kingdom of heaven begins on a very small scale. The tiny mustard seed represents the beginnings of the heavenly kingdom. Like the plant, the kingdom will be characterized by very rapid growth.
The birds lodging in its branches is something that happens when they are seeking rest and shelter. The definition of lodging is a place where someone stays temporarily.
I am sure you can see the fulfillment in the church of Jesus Christ. The kingdom of heaven began with a very small group of people, 120 to be exact. They were staying in Jerusalem awaiting the coming of God's Spirit as Christ promised to send. Christ was going to begin building His church and it would be a part of His heavenly kingdom.
Like the mustard tree the church had a small beginning.
Acts 1:15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
Like the mustard tree the church had rapid growth.
Like the mustard seed, the kingdom of heaven experienced explosive growth. 3,000 people were saved when the first sermon was preached by Peter. This was a brand new community of faith and people were drawn to salvation through Jesus Christ. People were being saved on a daily basis and this created exponential growth.
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Like the mustard tree the kingdom of heaven produces lasting benefits.
Acts 2:42-46 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
A mustard tree produces 2-3 inch long pods containing pea sized fruit with a single seed in each one. Mustard fruit has many beneficial things like vitamins, minerals and certain trace elements.
Thousands of lives were transformed by the power of the gospel. Those folks were faithful to the apostolic teaching, observing the Lord's supper (communion) and they were blessed with close fellowship with other newly saved Christians.
Their good testimony of radically changed lives impacted many others around them and fear came upon them as the apostles ministered with signs and wonders. Their hearts were knit together and they were very unselfish as they shared what they had with those who were in need.
Like the birds in the branches we are strangers temporarily dwelling on this earth.
Hebrews 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
The lives of all those saved in the early church were a manifestation of the kingdom of heaven. The texts from Hebrews 11 makes it clear that from Abraham onward, those who respond to God's calling by faith recognize that this world is not their final resting place.
Jesus went to prepare a place for us and one day He will bring us home to heaven to live with Him for eternity. We are looking for the city with immovable foundations built by God for us. We live here temporarily like the birds that shelter temporarily in the mustard tree branches.
Points to Ponder...
- The mustard seed parable shows us that the kingdom of God is built one person at a time.
- You and I are like tiny seeds that can be planted in the fertile soil of the gospel.
- When the Word of God takes root in our souls we begin to experience growth in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the things of God.
- When the Word of God takes root in our soul we will be fruit producing Christians and our lives will never be the same as what they used to be.
- When the Word of God takes root in our soul we will live life here as a pilgrim and a stranger just passing through.
May we all pause o reflect upon the beauty of this parable. May we thank our Lord for giving us such encouraging teaching so that we might live for Him and seek first His kingdom. May Christ be glorified in our response to His word and may He have His way in each of our hearts.
Bob
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