“It is
like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and
it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the
branches of it.” (v.19)
This
simile, "As small as a grain of mustard seed" was well known in the
Jewish world, and was a proverb among the people in those days. It was a common
sight to see a mustard plant (raised from one of these minute grains) grow to
the height of a fruit tree, putting forth branches on which birds build their
nests.
It was
with sorrowful irony that Jesus compared the kingdom of God in those days to
this small grain. But, at that time, it was composed of Jesus and his few
wavering followers. It seemed impossible that this little movement could ever
stir the world, let alone still exist today.
However,
it grew outwardly into a great tree in which we now see; the spread of the
Gospel world wide and the growth of grace in the hearts of millions of
believers everywhere. Yet the fulness of the gentiles has yet to come to
harvest. Therefore, the tree continues to grow.
Will this
growth ever stop? No, as Isaiah wrote, “Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. He
will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding
it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of
the LORD Almighty will accomplish this” (Isaiah 9:7).
This tiny
“seed” will never stop growing and when the King of this Kingdom comes to rule
in power on earth, it will apparently continue to grow.
The Truth: “I
will plant it (His Kingdom) on the mountain heights of Israel so that it will
bear branches; it will yield fruit and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every
kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches.” (Ezekiel
17:23)
