Matthew thirteen: The parable of the mustard seed.
Is the mustard seed really the smallest of all seeds as Jesus seems to suggest?
And does the mustard seed really grow into a tree?
Do the answers to these questions expose the fact that we shouldn’t take the Bible literally? And was Jesus confused about which seed was truly the smallest?
Umm, no.
As a teacher of children, youth, and adults for over three decades, I’ve heard a lot of silly questions over the years. Most of the time, the questions are sincere. But other times they are intended to “stump the teacher” or challenge the truthfulness of the Bible. I enjoy the questions. It keeps me alert to the needs of the students. I want them to question everything and sincerely pursue God’s truth. As a teacher, it’s my job to be prepared for the questions. It stifles a student’s quest for learning if we ignore or dismiss their questions.
I bring this up because it relates to this short but familiar parable. Many have argued that the mustard seed isn’t the smallest seed. It’s one of the great “gotcha” questions for those who look to find something false in the Bible.
And it brings me back to what I’ve said several times in other articles on parables. Don’t dive too deep into the specifics of the parable. When you do that, you can miss the meaning of the story.
It’s small okay?
The mustard seed is very small. If Jesus taught this parable today, in a middle school classroom, he wouldn’t survive the fact-checks.
“But Jesus,” they would say, “what about this seed?” They would be on their smartphones proving Jesus didn’t know what he was talking about. But that wasn’t the point of the story.
Likewise, people will complain that it doesn’t grow into a tree. Well, some species of the mustard plant will grow into small trees. They get to about eight to ten feet high. The idea is that it starts small and grows larger than expected.
https://thewritelife.tech/2019/06/05/well-done-good-servant-talents-parable/
The point most people miss.
There is a point to this parable that most people never see. I’ll explain.
The parable concerns the growth of the Church of God. It starts very small like a tiny seed. And it continues to mature until it grows much larger than anyone expected. And when it is fully grown it provides shade and a place for birds to lodge in.
This parable is almost identical to the parable of the tares. But most people never realize this for various reasons. Some interpreters relate its meaning to the growth of the church. This is correct. But then they go on to say this shows that the Church will grow very large. It will expand around the globe and bring the Gospel to the whole world. And everyone is welcome in God’s Church. Even the birds have a place. This is a great idea but misses the point that I believe is more important.
Who invited the birds?
Many interpreters and most Bible students miss the meaning of the birds. Most people enjoy watching birds. I sure do. This seems to be a nice touch that Jesus adds to the story. But to the culture Jesus was speaking to, birds were bad news. No farmers wanted birds in their crops or on their mustard plants. The birds were unwanted by farmers. And they were an unwanted component in this parable.
This is how the parable of the mustard seed is similar to the parable of the tares. The weeds and birds were both uninvited guests to the Church party. As the church grows, the weeds and birds will be sure to follow. Every Church will have problems as a result of these unwanted guests.
In particular, the birds come for one reason. They want to eat the fruit that is produced by the plant. In a healthy church, growing Christians are the fruit. Satan wants to devour them.
So, enjoy watching the birds if you like, but make sure they don’t eat the fruit.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
(Also found in Mark 4:30-34 and Luke 13:18-19)
31 Another parable put he forth to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
The Size of the Mustard Seed
The seed of the Black Mustard plant (Brassica nigra), the species found in present-day Israel, is approximately 1.0 mm in length. There are many plants, such as begonias, petunias, and wormwoods, that, today, have smaller seeds. The smallest known seed, which belongs to a species of jewel orchid (Anoectochilus imitans), measures a microscopic 0.05mm in length, though other species of orchid have seeds larger than a mustard seed.
Evolutionists point to this seeming inconsistency in Jesus’ teaching and claim that science has disproved a part of the Bible, while others point to it and claim it is impossible to take the Bible literally. They then apply this supposed impossibility to Jesus’ statements about Genesis and the first 11 chapters of the book of Genesis.
The above quote is taken from an article found on the Answers in Genesis site. It’s a great site you should spend some time on.
White Stone Watcher
Hello readers,
I have served as a children and youth pastor for over three decades. It was a great honor and pleasure to serve the Lord in that way. It has been my prayer, that many of them will learn of Jesus’ love and decide to commit their lives to follow Him.
I wrote the fiction story, ‘White Stone Watcher’ for them and their parents. In the story, we see a young man, and his best friend, Amanda. They face the normal challenges that today’s kids face at school. But with one huge difference.
Their challenge is twelve feet tall to be exact with an enormous set of six wings. Just like the prophet Isaiah saw in the throne room of God. He is a Watcher, an angelic being who is still invisible to Amanda. The messenger from God is about to lead both on a spiritual journey. They find they cannot escape the unseen war that rages all around them. They will become key players that God will use in the battle between the Sons of Darkness and the Children of Light.
I invite you to pray about a youth that might enjoy and benefit from this story. As the world grows darker, our youth must become aware that the Lord is calling them to join the Children of Light in the fight for what is righteous. We are all involved, whether we realize it or not. If they will not go to church, maybe they will read a book about someone just like them facing challenges at school.
God is calling them.
Praying for the youth, and a great awakening.
Pastor Doug
Let me know what you think.