Matt. 13:31, 32; Mark 4:30-32; 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 4:15); they must, then, be associated with that which is evil. (Compare also Acts 10:12; Jas. 3:7; Rev. 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.