Mathew 13:31 – He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
Jesus spoke many parables when talking to the disciples and the people who were surrounding him. There are many parables He spoke on the kingdom of heaven and Mathew 13 lists a set of 7 parables on this particular topic. One of them is as listed in Mathew 13:31 – 32, comparing the kingdom to the growth of a mustard seed.
In this particular parable, what we have to understand is that the kingdom of heaven is not a mustard seed, nor is it a man, nor is it a field or a tree. This parable sheds some light on a particular aspect of the kingdom of heaven and the aspect being focussed here is around something profound being established from small humble beginnings.
So when we get into the parable – it says that a man took a mustard seed and planted in his field. There was one mustard seed taken by the man. Anyone who has taken a mustard seed between their fingers knows how tiny and invisible it can be.
Few things to glean from this action and relation to the kingdom of heaven:-
- The beginnings could be humble and small but what matters is in whose hand you are in.
- There was intent and purpose when the man picked up one seed. When God sowed the kingdom, it was not a random act, there was a purpose in it. This seed first and foremost depicts our Lord Jesus Christ who was sown for us on the cross of Calvary.
- There was a definite vision that the seed would one day grow into a large tree.
- Even though the seed was small, it was not dead; it had life in it and the DNA to become something big.
- There was a stage when the seed died under the ground. A secretive work which the world may not see and a transitional period when new life is beginning to sprout out.
- Birds are usually one of the worst enemies for a farmer and especially with new seeds. However here we see a great work of reconciliation and testimony where many enemies of the kingdom will one day take shelter in the very thing they tried to destroy.
Where are you or your visions in your journey with God?
I want to encourage you that irrespective of how small and insignificant your start might be, if it is in hands of the Creator then it has the potential of becoming something big. You might have started but could be seeing no progress – it could be that you are at a stage where there is secretive work that is happening under the ground. Don’t lose hope, what was sown as a small humble seed will soon sprout up in a new expression of life – strong, colourful and bearing fruits.
For mankind, size may matter, but for God it is the depth of your faith and trust that matters. Zechariah 4:10 says. “Who has despised the day of small things?” .If God has entrusted you with a mustard seed sized dream or vision, rest assured – small things in the hands of a big God, will bear fruit.
Maranatha – come Lord Jesus!
