Matt. 13:31, 3231Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32Which 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. (Matthew 13:31‑32); Mark 4:30-3230And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 31It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 32But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. (Mark 4:30‑32); Luke 13:18, 1918Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? 19It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. (Luke 13:18‑19)
“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. 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. 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.