Mustard Seed Future

Today, we come to the last of Jesus’ parables in Mark 4 and in Mark’s gospel.  Mark only included a relatively few parables compared to Matthew and Luke. 

 

Remember that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, and we are reminded of Jesus’ scope and purpose of His parables found in Mark 4:33-34.  Their ultimate purpose was to reveal or explain the Kingdom of God to those inside the Kingdom. 

 

Parables also served to conceal or confuse the truths of the Kingdom of God to the outsiders, those who willfully, intentionally, and purposefully rejected the Lord Jesus.

 

This morning’s parable is that of the mustard seed. I hate to take for granted that everyone understands the size of mustard seed.  Therefore, take a look at this.

 

Jesus spoke about the mustard seed on three different occasions.  In Matthew 17:14-20, He spoke about mustard seed faith.

 

Matthew 17:14-20, 14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”  17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.  19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”  20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

 

Jesus spoke about the mustard seed again in Luke 17:3-6.  This time, He spoke of mustard seed forgiveness.

 

Luke 17:3-6, 3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”  5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”  6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

 

Here in Mark 4, we are going to look at mustard seed future as it relates to the Kingdom of God.

 

 

Earthly Story

1. The mustard seed, 4:31a
   1. Not the Gospel like it has been in some previous parables
   2. The seed here is the Kingdom of God
      1. Eternal life in heaven
      2. Jesus’ earthly reign when He returns

• But also God’s presence in the life of Believers here and now on earth

1. This seed is the common black mustard seed
   1. Comparable to a fleck of black pepper or a grain of sand
   2. Takes 725-760 black mustard seeds to equal one gram

 

1. Was sown, 4:31b
   1. The black mustard seed was sown in the soil and began to grow
   2. In the same way, the Kingdom of God in Jesus had its own beginnings with His birth in Jerusalem

 

 

1. Smaller than all of the other seeds, 4:31c
   1. Again, the black mustard seed was extremely small.
   2. Jesus said that the black mustard seed was smaller than all the seeds that were upon the soil. It was the smallest seed His audience knew.
   3. He was not giving a lesson in botany
   4. He was not making an absolute statement
   5. He intended to speak comparatively

 

 

1. Even though it was small, it grew and became superior, greater than all herbs 4:32a
   1. When the black mustard seed was planted, it grew to into a shrub or tree that could be measured anywhere between six and fifteen feet tall
   2. Jesus said when it grows it becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large braches that provide shade for the birds of the air

 

 

1. The birds of the air find shade in this tree, 4:32b
   1. Who are the birds of the air?
   2. Even though the birds in previous parables, represent Satan, I think these birds are simply the insiders who find shade and comfort and rest in God’s Kingdom

 

 

Heavenly Meaning(s)

First, as I just said, in God’s Kingdom, in Jesus Christ, you can find shade and comfort and rest.  You don’t have to work any longer for God’s approval when you are in Christ. 

 

Second, bigger isn’t always better.  However, that is how we think.  We think a bigger house is better.  A bigger car is better.  A bigger truck is better.  A bigger church is better, and a bigger budget is better, and a bigger children’s ministry or youth ministry is better.

 

In this parable, smaller is superior. 

 

Third, it isn’t how you start as much as it is how you finish.  The mustard seed started small, but finished large and well. 

 

When these first century hearers heard “kingdom,” they had visions of grandeur in their eyes. 

 

However, let me remind you how Jesus began.

 

Luke 2:1-7, And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.  4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

 

And don’t forget how Jesus will finish.

 

Revelation 19:10-16, 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”  11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.  The seed is the kingdom of God, and even though it starts out small, when it is sown on the soil, it grows to be more than we could ever imagine.

 

Therefore, be encouraged brothers and sisters.  Find rest in Jesus Christ, God’s Kingdom in the flesh.  Bigger isn’t always better when smaller is superior, and it isn’t how you start but how you finish.