The Mustard Seed
Matthew 13:31-32
31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
Introduction:
The parable of the mustard seed can be found in three gospel books: Matthew, Luke, and Mark. This implies that the intended audience for this parable is not just the Jews but everyone, regardless of their background.
Jesus directly addresses farmers, individuals who have knowledge of farming. He wants us to understand that in the Old Testament, God had stated, "My people perish for lack of knowledge."
We can say that the Lord is a farmer, as he compares the Kingdom of Heaven to farming. Farming is still of utmost importance even in the present day, and there is a lot of wisdom and heavenly principles in farming. This time, Jesus is very specific about what type of seed we should sow or plant. It's a mustard seed, which is intriguing. How many seeds are required to plant this type of seed? How do we plant it? Where do we plant it? When should we plant it? Lastly, why should we plant a mustard seed in our lives?
Body A.
"How much mustard seed? Just one grain. Not two or three, but a single grain. Planting a mustard seed requires sparsely distributed seeds and cannot be cluttered. To better understand the mustard plant, it also requires rich and moist soil. It needs sufficient space to receive ample sun and air.
Where do we plant the mustard seed? The verse answers this in a subtle statement that is very important. It says, “...in his own field”. I have been saying this over and over and will not get tired of it. We are assigned to have our own field: family, work, business, friends, etc."
Acts 17:26-28 ESV
And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth,
Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own
poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
“The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed
in his field.”
having
determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should
seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.
B.
"Why mustard seed?" you may ask. Well, it's because of its small size. God wants us to start small and grow more gradually. He cherishes the small things, the baby steps, and the slow but consistent progress. When we apply our knowledge of truth consistently, even in small ways, God blesses our efforts. It's all about taking small but frequent steps towards our goals, just like a seed that grows into a tree. Furthermore, even the leaves and flowers of the mustard plant are edible.
C.
“and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
You might consider yourself as a small plant, but in reality, you are not just an ordinary plant. You are destined to be a tree. Keep growing and don't stop. Although you may not grow as tall as other trees, you will be tall enough to provide a blessing and a resting place for birds, cattle, and even people. Mustard Trees have various uses, including roots, leaves, branches, and seeds, which can be utilized for medicinal purposes and is good for your intestines. Furthermore, it is a source of food for all.”
Conclusion
"The Lord Jesus generously invites us to partake in the Kingdom of Heaven, a realm of abundance and prosperity where we lack nothing. He encourages us to deepen our understanding of how this realm operates and reminds us that our hearts are like soil, while God is the wise farmer who sows seeds of faith within us. If we allow Him to claim our hearts, these seeds can sprout and grow into a towering tree, much like the mustard seed, which becomes a home for many creatures and a source of nourishment for all who seek it. As we continue to nurture this tree, it becomes a symbol of hope and inspiration for those around us, emanating a restful and peaceful aura that touches everyone who comes near."
Prayer
Dear God, we are grateful for you being our God, who always knows what we need. You are a God who can understand our struggles and hardships in life. We believe that you are the sower, and our hearts are the soil. Please take our hearts, make them your own so that you may cultivate and grow mustard trees and produce abundant faith. We pray that Jesus Christ comes into our lives, and we surrender to your will. May we find comfort in knowing that with you by our side, we can overcome any challenge that life throws our way. Thank you for your love and guidance. Amen.