The Mustard Seed Today

It is common for the general public to know about or know of the mustard seed parable from the Bible. To explain the mustard seed parable, it is important to understand the context in which it is being used. Before the parable is stated in Matthew 13:31-32, the previous chapters in the book discuss the genealogy of Jesus, his birth, history of the lands, Jesus’s baptism and more. The book later talks about the First Disciples and ministering. The acceptable way to act, how to teach about certain topics, and the gifts that can be received by God.

Throughout this book we see Jesus healing many sick members of society, calling on people to follow him, and what it means to be compassionate. Jesus then commissions his twelve select men. Jesus describes the conditions and rewards for following him. Then Jesus starts to use parables a lot. He talks about the sower, and the weeds among the wheat, yeast, and of course the mustard seed. Now from the surface it seems like these items have nothing in common. However, to understand the parables being used one must understand what is being used to tell the parable. In The Parable of the Sower and the Purpose of Parables, parables are to be used in Matthew in a specific arrangement (Snodgrass 100). The same article states that although “… the seed or the harvest is important, it is not the focus” (Snodgrass 114). By reading each book, it should be recognized that the parables used in Matthew are supposed to teach and help people understand the world around them. The mustard seed parable is used when trying to understand the kingdom. Jesus wants the twelve to understand that it is a privilege to help the people. Jesus knows about the potential the kingdom can have on people and the power of the Holy Spirit. This connects to the mustard seed. To get technical, the mustard seed is very small in size, and when planted it can “… produce a plant normally from two to six feet in height” (The New Interpreter’s Bible 309). In some cases, the plant could reach fifteen feet high which would cause some to refer to it as a tree (Hultgren 395). Without this background understanding, it all seems like an ordinary seed. Since this seed commonly is referred to as a “parable of growth”, “they provide pictorial contrasts between tiny beginnings and grand, magnificent endings” (Hultgren 395). The progress from start to finish is often overlooked. After Matthew 13:31-32, Jesus continues to make miracles happen. He feeds thousands, and heals more. Jesus continues to use more parables to try to explain himself and begins to bless many people like children that were brought to him. He is sowing his seeds and his word into the land and into the souls of his people (Snodgrass 145). Lessons from his parables are now being understood and more are being discussed. At the end of the book Jesus gets crucified which he knew was inevitable. However his parables helped the people understand his teachings and remember them.

Looking at the mustard seed parable today and trying to grasp the concept and lesson in a better way is a different story. If I had to explain it, I would say the mustard seed parable focuses on the potential. Jesus used it as something to inspire, and now it can be viewed as a motivational story as well. The birds in the tree at the time were his disciples but now the birds can be the followers. The religion definitely had its challenges starting out. It started with one, grew to twelve, and kept growing just as a plant would. The hardships being faced at times have been overlooked. However the plant and the faith kept growing. It provided and still provides shelter for those who seek it. Indeed the plant starts out small just like the faith and its followers, but in non-literal terms it has grown to cover the planet. The mustard seed which is commonly known as a parable about growth still holds true to this day. I know that Jesus is pleased knowing his people listened, understood, and remembered his parables. The seed is still growing just as the optimism of the kingdom.