The Grain of Mustard Seed

Matthew 13:31‑32; Mark 4:30‑32; Luke 13:18‑19
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“The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard-seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.”
It has been found to be a difficulty to point out a” mustard-seed” that would grow large enough to answer the description in the parable.1 This does not, however, affect the teaching intended to be conveyed. The kingdom of heaven began as a small, insignificant thing in the eyes both of the world and of those who claimed to be God’s people on earth. It has, however, grown to be like a tree, with “great branches.” The only difficulty is, as to who are pointed out by the” birds of the air.” We get the key to its meaning in the parable of the sower. In that there are also” fowls of the air,” but they devour the seed sown by the wayside, and this, in the interpretation by our Lord, is said to be the work of Satan (Mark 4:1515And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. (Mark 4:15)); they must, then, be associated with that which is evil. (Compare also Acts 10:1212Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. (Acts 10:12); Jas. 3:77For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: (James 3:7); Rev. 18:22And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. (Revelation 18:2).) Now, as we see plainly in the parable of the wheat and tares how evil men are introduced, so it is here: they take shelter among the branches of the great tree.2 And, alas! we have only to look around at the professing church to see how many of the unconverted are sheltered under its branches. These, too, are not simply those who come to quiet their con-sciences by becoming religious, but, alas! many are to be found in the higher branches of place and power, daring to take upon themselves the” cure of souls,” and purchase the same as they would a mere worldly profession! Over their heads is said, in the Church of England, a Receive the Holy Ghost, for the office and work of a priest in the church of God, now committed unto thee, by the imposition of hands. Whose sins thou dost forgive, they are forgiven; and whose sins thou dost retain, they are retained,” &c.; and forthwith they take shelter under the great tree. If the blessings connected with the kingdom were alluded to, doubtless we should read of the fruits to be gathered from the tree; but of this there is not a word. It is simply a tree with great branches, in which the birds take shelter; not, indeed, becoming actually a part of the tree but simply finding shelter among its branches — a type, surely of the evil we see all around us. May God open the eyes of those who can see nothing but progress and blessing. Blessings we have, through mercy, but they are not what the parable teaches.
 
1. It is judged by most to be the Salvador a Persica, which (1) has a small seed; (2) it grows large enough for birds to lodge in its branches; (3) its berries are used as “mustard.” A tree has been found near the Dead Sea which answers the above description.
2. The tree” with great branches” seems to point out in scripture a great public power, something that can be recognized by all. Thus Pharaoh and Assyria are compared to great trees (Eze. 31), and Nebuchadnezzar was” a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.” (Dan. 4:1010Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. (Daniel 4:10).)