Are you familiar with the Mustard Seed Parable?
Hi, I’m Little Pot. I’m a fruit-bearing vessel created by the Potter. The Potter grows HIs fruit through me by planting a seed inside me. There are several places in the Bible where Jesus tells us parables about seeds. They represent God’s Word, Fatih, and the Kingdom of God. Let’s explore the significance of the mustard seed parable and uncover how it reveals the miraculous growth of our faith and the impact of the Gospel. The parable is told in Matthew. However, it comes to fruition in the Book of Acts.
In this article, we will explore the connection between the mustard seed parable and the early development of the Christian movement as recorded in Acts. The Book of Acts documents the beginning of the Church following Jesus’ resurrection. As we examine the text, we will discover how followers of Jesus were scattered and grew the gospel just like a mustard seed.
The Mustard Seed Parable in Matthew
The Mustard Seed Parable is found in Matthew 13:31-32, where Jesus vividly illustrates profound truths about the Kingdom of Heaven. In this short narrative, He describes the Kingdom as a mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it becomes the largest of garden plants, turning into a tree where birds can perch. This imagery captivates the audience, evoking a sense of wonder regarding the seemingly insignificant beginnings of something monumental. The listeners wanted to know what the Kingdom of Heaven was like. Would you have picked something as small as a mustard seed if asked that question? A mustard seed is tiny. Yet, it has qualities that the people listening to Jesus’ parable understood.
Understanding the symbolism of the Mustard Seed
A tiny mustard seed can grow quite large, sometimes reaching over ten feet. Additionally, mustard seeds are weeds that grow outward. The plant will overtake other seeds planted beside it. For example, if you plant a tiny mustard seed inside me along with different seeds, the mustard seed would interfere with how the other seeds grow. Even though a mustard seed is small, it will become a fast-spreading weed and overtake other seeds trying to take root inside me. Likewise, mustard seeds can grow just about anywhere. It is rarely bothered by pests and can handle various temperatures and terrains.
When we read the parable of the mustard seed, we often think about what it looks like. However, I believe Jesus also wanted us to consider what the mustard seed does. The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed because even though it starts as a tiny seed, it will spread outward and overtake other things trying to grow in us.
The fulfillment of the Mustard Seed Parable in Acts
Now, let’s take a look at the Book of Acts. Right after Jesus was resurrected, he spent forty days with his disciples talking about the Kingdom of God (see Acts 1:3). His followers wanted to know when the Kingdom would come (Vs. 6). Jesus answered them by telling them they do not need dates or times because the Holy Spirit will come, making them witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. In other words, they will be like mustard seeds scattered across the planet.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost ignites this growth, empowering the disciples to shine the light of Christ boldly. My friend, the Oil Lamp, knows all about being filled with oil (the Holy Spirit) so it can shine brightly for the Potter.
Acts chronicles the scattering of Jesus’ followers. Initially confined to Jerusalem, the apostles were propelled outward by persecution. This scattering mirrors how a mustard seed is sown across various terrains, each location becoming fertile ground for the Gospel. The message of Christ began to take root in diverse cultures and communities, spreading the Kingdom of God.
As the Church expanded, it encountered challenges and opposition but thrived. Just as the mustard plant provides a shelter for birds, the Church became a sanctuary for the marginalized and those seeking Truth. The miraculous events recorded in Acts, such as healings, conversions, and the bold proclamation of the Gospel, illustrate transformative faith.
How the Faith of a Mustard Seed Can Move a Mountain
Jesus also mentions the mustard seed in Matthew 17:20. In this verse, Jesus tells his followers that if they have faith as small as a mustard seed, they can move mountains. A mustard plant can grow in a mountainous region and disturb the slopes and terrains of hills or mountains. It will “appear as if the mountain has moved”move” the mountain. Now that you know how a mustard seed grows, you can see why Jesus uses it to symbolize faith.
Conclusion: The enduring message of the Mustard Seed Parable
The message of the Mustard Seed Parable offers timeless insights into the nature of faith and the Kingdom of God. It reminds us that our faith, no matter how small, contributes to a greater purpose. This parable invites us to embrace the tension of waiting and trusting God’s timing. Just as the disciples were scattered through persecution, He sometimes uses terrible things to send us on our spiritual journeys. Our lives are a part of a divine narrative that extends the Kingdom of God and transcends our understanding.
As a little pot that grows the Potter’s fruit, I want to encourage you to participate actively in expanding God’s Kingdom, just like a mustard seed! And I hope you’ll join me in bearing fruit. Just enter your first name and email below. I’ll send you seven steps on how the Potter produces His fruit in us. Then, you’ll receive a fruitful Friday email each week with special offers and new stories I’ve sprouted.
Ashtyn Harris
Dawn Stephens