Mustard Seeds

 For some reason I really want to talk about mustard seeds now that we have talked about the resurrection. Mustard seeds are mentioned in two separate ways in the gospels. The first time it is mentioned when discussing the Kingdom of God. 

Matthew 13:31-32

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.” 

Mark 4:30-32

30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” 

Luke 13:18-19

18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.” 

I showed all three times it was mentioned in this way, mostly because every time it was similar. Here is the interesting part about these scriptures. When you look at commentaries some of them disagree about who or what the mustard seeds represent. On a positive note, you have the mustard seeds being like the church or Christians. What started off small has become or can become something huge and save everyone who accepts it. What a beautiful image! But other people believe that this is a warning about corruption within the church or believers. If I am being completely honest, I don't know that it matters because I think they are both correct. You can start off doing something small to improve your relationship with God or trying to get people to come to church, and over time it can become something huge and life changing for many people. You can also be living a wonderful Christian life and let a little bit of something in and it can change you over a period of time. Either way, positive or negative when you let a little into your life, in can change you over time.

Now to discuss the other time that a mustard seed is mentioned. This time Jesus is talking to his disciples who just had the experience of not being able to heal a demon possessed boy. Jesus tells them why they couldn't do it.

Matthew 17:14:21

14 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” 17 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” [21] 

This parable is told in Mark and Luke also, but they do not have Jesus talking about a mustard seed. Jesus says that if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Sounds like a good place to stop for now, we can pick in back up in a few days.