Lessons from the Mustard Seed Parable
Explore the wisdom of Mark 4:30-32 and the Parable of the Mustard Seed. Discover how the smallest seeds can transform lives, nations, and the world. Learn the importance of planting these seeds in your heart and how God will grow them into something of infinite significance to His kingdom.
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The Parable of the Mustard Seed
30 And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, 32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
Context for The Parable of the Mustard Seed
A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning intended to be experienced in this life for the Christian.
Based on other parables, we know that a seed represents God’s Word, and the condition of our heart, not the condition of the seed, determines the degree of our fruitfulness as Christ-followers. We’ve learned that the seed of God’s Word has automotos power to transform a life, community, nation, and nation.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed is not a fully developed story but a simple analogy. Through this parable, Jesus tells us that the kingdom of heaven is like what happens with the mustard seed.
The Seeds of God’s Word
JESUS: “It is like a grain of mustard seed, which…is the smallest of all the seeds on earth…” Mark 4:31
Scientifically, the mustard seed is not the smallest seed known to man. However, it was the smallest seed planted in the gardens of Jesus’ day. Yet, some mustard plants have been known to grow as high as 15 feet tall. Something so small, with such humble beginnings, can become truly amazing to behold.
When we start thinking about it, almost everything starts small. Everything and everyone has to start somewhere; Families start small, earning a degree starts small, and companies start small.
So, is that all that’s there for this parable? That things start small, and then they can become big? No, there is much more to learn from this brief parable.
Everywhere the seed of God’s Word has germinated, compassion, decency, and morality have sprung up. Hospitals and schools have been founded. Truth and salvation have been proclaimed, and lives have been changed.
Everywhere the seeds of God’s Word have gone, it has destroyed demonism, cannibalism, polygamy, child sacrifice, and thousands of other evils. The spread of the seed of God’s Word has:
Built orphanages for the fatherless and homes for people experiencing homelessness.
Reached out to comfort the bereaved, cared for the infirmed, and cured the sick.
Changed individuals, communities, and nations.
The seeds of God's Word are powerful, yet a mustard seed is not a symbol of power. It takes more than 15,000 mustard seeds to comprise an ounce. When we think about the smallness of a mustard seed and realize what Jesus is sharing, we can comprehend that you may appear weak when you put your in the mustard seeds of God’s Word.
Suppose you’re creating something, and someone asks, “What’s your plan?” If you respond that you have faith the size of a mustard seed regarding the project, it’s embarrassing! That’s not a vote of confidence for a young startup company. It’s so insignificant that you might be tempted to feel sorry for someone who would believe such things.
However, this faith is one of the grand narratives of the Bible.
Feeble infant born in an animal feeding trough = Savior of the world.
Unlearned fishermen and tax collectors = to lead the movement.
A man undergoing capital punishment hanging between two thieves? = Who would overcome death.
The Mustard seed grows completely out of proportion to itself. The context of that is also important. Jesus wasn’t teaching us how to start a movement. Instead, He reminds us how things are, and His kingdom operates. It’s about us joining Him in what He’s doing, even though it always starts small.
“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are so that no one may boast before Him.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
When reading a verse like that, it’s difficult not to think of our persecuted brothers and sisters worldwide. Rejection, persecution, and martyrdom, the seed may die, but life springs forth.
Scriptures teach that when you profess Christ, you are transferred from the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of Light, which is the Kingdom of God. When Jesus teaches these parables, He shares that as a citizen of His kingdom, you have an advantage; you have access to the King. The seeds of the Word is working in your life, and it is powerful and counterintuitive.
What seems insignificant in the conception of a mustard seed moment in the Kingdom often results in an infinite significance. Do not despise a small beginning.
Hide the Word In Your Heart
JESUS: “It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground…” Mark 4:31
This is commonsensical, but the seed can only grow if planted. Jesus affirms how essential it is for us as believers to plant the seeds of His Word in our hearts. This includes:
Scripture memorization
Scripture songs
Scripture meditation
When the seeds of God's Word are implanted in your heart, it results from fruitfulness. Even in a drought, because of the supernatural source of God through His Word, we can experience growth.
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3
Where we see the word “meditate” in that passage, your mind may go to a yoga class, where you try to clear your mind. However, that’s not what this refers to. We derive the English word “Meditate” from the Hebrew word “Ruminate.”
Ruminate: to go over in the mind repeatedly and often casually or slowly; to chew repeatedly for an extended period.
To ruminate in Christ is to take Him with you through the day. You may read Scripture when you sit down at your desk in the morning, then as you go about your day, stop to remember His Word. Recall and recite the verses to yourself, allowing it to kick up in your spirit. That’s ruminating on God’s Word.
In life, you will go through valleys and mountains. However, in those dark days of the valley, the Word equips you not to doubt what God has taught you in the light. That is a gift for children of His Kingdom.
Shade From the Mustard Tree
JESUS: “…yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” Mark 4:31-32
This image of a tree with the birds of the air resting in its branches is a common image of a kingdom in the Old Testament (Ezekiel 17:23, 31:6; Daniel 4:12). The representation here is God’s Kingdom is like a tree, and the birds represent the people, groups, and nations. Jesus is affirming that the seeds of God's Word work in His people and will reproduce so profoundly that nations will be affected.
The reference to shade also has its significance. It covers the elements of sin, shame, and separation from God.
So, things like the Asbury University revival or large worship gatherings like those we’ve seen recently at Auburn, Baylor, and many other schools start with a mustard seed of God’s Kingdom.
Mustard seed after mustard seed causing growth, all of it building a spiritual kingdom of genuinely converted souls so vast, all around the world, you can hardly imagine it. The mustard seed illustrates the impact and progress of Christianity across the globe.
We can certainly see this with the worldwide spread of the gospel. Christianity began with twelve ordinary disciples following Jesus around a small piece of land in the Middle East and has now grown to penetrate many regions of the earth.
So yes, the mustard seed is tiny but grows into a huge plant. And that’s why Jesus used it for this parable. God’s kingdom starts small, but it will grow surprisingly large.
TL;DR
The Parable of the Mustard Seed teaches that God's Word, though small in appearance, has incredible transformative power.
It shows that great things can come from humble beginnings and that, as believers, we should plant God's Word in our hearts through memorization, meditation, and song.
The parable also highlights how God's Kingdom starts small but can profoundly impact individuals and nations, ultimately offering shade from sin and separation from God.
Related Reading
From Seed to Harvest: Examining the Seasons of Spiritual Fruition by Rev. Paul Lawler
4 Heart Conditions that Impact Spiritual Fruitfulness by Rev. Paul Lawler
What is a Parable by Grant Caldwell
