The Smallest Mustard Seed - Matthew 13:32

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field”, and in chapter thirteen and verse thirty-two of his book, Matthew wrote how Jesus tells His disciples how the mustard seed, “is the least of all seeds” where we read:

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 verse reads, “Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, ...” Matthew began with the words, “which indeed” which means “even as the mustard seed truly, certainly and surely” “is the least” or “exist as the smallest and lesser in size” “of all seeds” which means “pertaining to each, every, the whole and everyone of the grain or kernels which contain within themselves the germ of the future plants”: “but” or “nevertheless, moreover and” “when it is grown” which means “at the time and moment the mustard seed has increased, become greater and increased”, “is the greatest” or “exist as the largest and most grand scale” “among herbs” which means “of the vegetables”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “mustard seed” was the smallest of the “seeds” but after it has “increased in size”, it becomes the largest among the vegetative plants.

The verse goes on to say, “... and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.” Matthew continued with the words, “and becomes” which means “and arises, appears and happens as” “a tree” or “the growth of an arbor or tree”, “so that the birds” which means “which the flying or winged animals or birds flying” “of the air” or “belonging to the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it” “come” which means “appear, establish and show themselves” “and lodge” or “fix their abode and dwell” “in the branches” which means “within the tender shoots, twigs and boughs” “thereof” or “within the tree”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “mustard plant” becomes so large it is like a “tree” in which the “birds of the air” come to dwell.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see Jesus employ another “parable” to share what the kingdom of God is like. This time the tiny “mustard seed” is used to show the small beginning of God's kingdom but then prospers to abnormal growth as it becomes a tree. “Birds” in the scripture are representative of “evil” and “wickedness”, and this “mustard plant” is so large that “birds” dwell within it. The “church” of Jesus Christ is made up of Christians who have put their faith and trust in Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, but sometimes there are “birds” or “wicked ones” who dwell within it. Those who are wise shall pay particular attention to Jesus' words and be careful not to allow “birds” to defeat the purpose and plan for the church.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus shares “another parable” with His disciples, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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