Mustard Seed

[Mat 13:31-33, 44-52 NIV] 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." 33 He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough." ... 44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. 47 "Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 "Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked. "Yes," they replied. 52 He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."

Keywords: Mustard Seed, Pearl, Net, Angels (evil vs righteousness).

Mustard seed forms a large annual plant that grows quickly. It can reach up to 15 feet in height. During the time of the parable, it was thought to be the smallest of seeds.  The mustard plant was well known for having a hot-flavor.

Pearls start as foreign matter caught in some shellfish such as an oyster, clam, or mussel.  To prevent further harm from the object an enzyme coats it. Over time, a pearl is formed. It can take up to two years. The process to form the pearl makes them valuable.  Which explains the reference for a metaphor for Heaven.

Nets are loosely woven mesh of twine or cord used for catching birds or fish. The nets for fishing were either cone-shaped with a wide mouth used for hand casting or the large draw with floats and lead sinkers.

Angels are created beings that worship and serve God.

Evil, the Bible teaches God has reasons for allowing it. It happens due to volitions in obedience to God due to abuse of freedom. Suffering is used to develop the Christians’ character. We have free will to select obedience or disobedience to God. Faith is tested by evil which brings about maturity in the Christian. The book of Job explains the mystery of suffering and the misunderstanding of observers.

The good news, Christ will return and conquer evil.  

Righteousness can be measured in the Bible on the basis of one’s adversary. King David was righteous in comparison to King Saul. In the book of Proverbs, righteousness in a person is honesty, generousness, courageousness, mercifulness, and doing things that lead to life. In the book of Psalms, righteousness denotes what is right and a person obtaining the blessing of God. Righteousness is grounded in the character of God. The righteous live by faith.  

The mustard seed, yeast, and sand are all small, but become much larger and gain value with time. When a seed is planted in the ground under the best conditions, it will grow. When yeast is added to dough there is no way to stop the process. Sand is small, but has a way to get everywhere.

These are not the same type of treasures that Jesus is describing, but they were the tools for the trade of the people listening to him. He starts with a mustard seed. It is small, but grows 15 feet to make a home for birds. Small portion of yeast in a large amount of dough to make it rise to feed many. Pearls start as a small grain of sand inside an oyster, mussel, or clam. Fishing nets can bring in a large number of fish as long as the net is strong and well maintained.

The kingdom of Heaven was proclaimed by a small number of individuals at the time of the writing. It is our role in fulfilling the Great Commission to increase the kingdom of Heaven assisting in the growth to a greater size. The mustard seed, pearl, hidden treasure, and fishing net are all examples of a small object bringing about a large outcome.

The kingdom of Heaven began as small as a mustard seed, grain of sand, or a pinch of yeast. The kingdom of Heaven will become a great mustard bush, as valuable as a pearl, and as unstoppable as a pinch of yeast added to dough.

What about you? Do you want to remain a mustard seed or become a great plant housing flocks of birds? Are you a grain of sand or a pearl of great value? Are you a pinch of yeast or dough for bread to feed a village? Are you a spool of mesh/twine or a great fishing net bringing in many large fish? As we all have a small beginning, our faith in God can increase our presence to show, demonstrate, and speak God into the hearts of many. What about you? Come to Jesus and allow him to build his kingdom with you.