Seed: the Mustard Seed

"What shall we say the Kingdom of God is like?  What parable shall we use to explain it?  It is like this. A man takes a mustard seed, the smallest seed in the world, and plants it in the ground.  After a while it grows up and becomes the biggest of all plants. It puts out such large branches that the birds come and make their nests in its shade." (Mark 4:31-32) .

The Mustard seeds are small round seeds from the mustard plants. The seeds are usually 1 or 2 mm in diameter. They vary in colour from yellowish white to black; these seeds are used as spices. The mustard seed takes about three to ten days to germinate depending on the right climate. 

It is a marvel how something so small as a mustard seed has the capacity to grow into a massive tree, as we look at the spiritual lesson of the mustard seed we see many spiritual messages hidden within this seed parable.

Often we find many afraid to reach out and take God at his word, thinking they are inadequate. On the other hand those who trust the Lord and take Him at his word like the mustard seed see the impossible become possible as a result of their faith. Like the parable we see the ability of a seed so small and so insignificant providing a vantage point for all. Especially to those who think they are not capable of reaching their potential. 

The kingdom of God seemed humble and insignificant. Compared with earthly kingdoms it appeared to be the least of all. So it is concerning the work of grace in the heart of man. A word is spoken, an influence exerted and that is all that is needed to watch the germination of that seed in the heart of that individual. Who can measure its far reaching results?

Here Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 1:26-28. “Consider what you were when God called you. Not many of you were wise from a human point of view. You were not in powerful positions or in the upper social classes.  But God chose what the world considers nonsense to put wise people to shame. God chose what the world considers weak to put what is strong to shame.  God chose what the world considers ordinary and what it despises what it considers to be nothing in order to destroy what it considers to be something.

As you view your life it is evident that you were born for a purpose, not to enjoy a mere existence but to do great exploits, you may have listened to the voice of the deceiver telling you, that you are no good or you are a looser, remember he is a liar from the beginning.   As he did to Christ By the rulers of this world Christ's claim to be a king was ridiculed. However we see Christ investing authority upon his disciples and through the power of God invested in them the mighty truth of the gospel was able to spread far and wide. How rapid was its growth, how widespread its influence! 

Equally the little seed of faith that you exercise today will become a tree of righteousness. For this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached throughout the entire world to every nation, tongue, kindred and people for a witness. (Revelation 14:6-14) Also to select those who fear God and who would honour His name to become heirs of salvation and inherit the Kingdom God has prepared for them from the foundation of the world.


Exercise your faith today. Romans 10:17. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the words of God.