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The Parables of The Mustard Seed

The Parable of the Mustard Seed as told by Jesus to the Disciples, was recorded in 3 of the 4 Gospels.

Matthew 13:31-32 - NKJV

Mark 4:30-32 - NKJV

Luke 13:18-19 - NKJV

³¹ Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and
sowed in his field,
³²which indeed is the least of all the seeds;
but when it is grown it is greater than
the herbs and becomes a tree,
so that the birds of the air come and
nest in its branches.”

³⁰Then He said, “To what shall we
liken the kingdom of God?
Or with what parable shall we picture it?
³¹It is like a mustard seed which,
when it is sown on the ground,
is smaller than all the seeds on earth;
³²but when it is sown, it grows up
and becomes greater than all herbs,
and shoots out large branches, so that
the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”

¹⁸Then He said, “What is the kingdom
of God like? And to what shall I compare it?
¹⁹It is like a mustard seed,
which a man took and put in his garden;
and it grew and became a large tree, and
the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

The parables of The Mustard Seed Overview

This Parable primarily means that the Kingdom of God, despite its small and humble beginnings,
will grow to be immense and influential, providing shelter for many. This can be interpreted in several ways:
the growth of the church from Jesus' small group of followers to a global movement,
the power of a small amount of faith to produce great results, and the transformative power of God's word.

Key themes and interpretations:

Humble beginnings to great stature:	A tiny mustard seed grows into a large plant (sometimes described as a tree), symbolizing the kingdom's start with a small, unassuming group and its eventual expansion.
Power of faith:	The parable illustrates that even the smallest amount of faith can lead to significant and remarkable outcomes.
The Kingdom of God:	It suggests that the Kingdom of God doesn't appear with worldly grandeur, but rather in a mysterious way, starting small and spreading to become a sanctuary for all.
Inclusiveness and refuge:	The birds nesting in the branches can represent the many people, including Gentiles, who will find refuge and sustenance in God's kingdom.
Transformative power:	The parable also highlights the transformative power of God's Word, showing how it can start small in an individual's heart and lead to a profound impact on their life and the world around them.
Mysterious nature:	Some interpretations emphasize the unexpected and mysterious nature of the growth, as the final plant is not the most impressive or botanically accurate image, but a deliberate exaggeration to highlight the surprising growth of the kingdom.

Today, its relevance lies in its message that faith, a small act of kindness, or a new idea
can have a large and transformative effect on Individuals, Churches, Communities, or even the World.

In Conclusion, we the Church should be growing the Kingdom of God, not hiding in it.

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