The Parable of the growth of the Mustard Seed

[Mary]

Mark 4: 30 -34
" And He said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It 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: But 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. And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples".

I had always found this a difficult parable to understand. My Ryrie study Bible (KJV) explains it as a picture of the phenomenally rapid spread of Christianity from a small beginning, and this much is clear. But the mustard bush is relatively small, and does not have "great branches", and why is it that it becomes "great" for the reason of allowing the fowls of the air to lodge under it?

David Legge's sermon says thus:

"The birds are the natural enemies of the sower, they were in the first parable and we have to conclude they are in this fourth one. That fits in with the rest of the Bible, doesn't it? Ephesians 2 verse 2 tells us that Satan is the Prince of the power of the air; Ephesians 6 and verse 12 tells us there are principalities and powers, rulers in heavenly places who are dictating to rulers in earthly places, and influencing our whole society in many strata. But when we go to the very last bit of the Bible, we see that these figures are intact also. When we turn to Revelation 18 and verse 2, we find the final phase of Christendom - now when I speak of Christendom, I'm talking about the outward profession of Christianity as opposed to true Christianity, where they are genuine born-again believers. Revelation 18 tells us that Babylon the Great will be an eclectic religious movement that will incorporate established Christendom. These birds in verse 2 are seen in cages in that system which they sought to develop, look at it: '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'. It would seem that birds, in these contexts, depict the way of false teachers, false professors, often mentioned by Paul and by Peter and John in their epistles, and the other apostles.

So what is the lesson in the teaching of this parable, well, it's simple: it's to do with the growth of the kingdom. Though the kingdom of God was a little insignificant, it would seem, small mustard-like seed sown by Christ and the apostles, it would grow to such an extent in the outward capacity that it would succeed, in worldly terms, to such an extent that it would unhealthily, unnaturally, and abnormally grow to an empire in which its enemies could even shelter and nest. Now maybe that seems an extreme interpretation to you, but it's not when you look at Matthew 13 and the other parables of the mystery of the kingdom, particularly Matthew 13:47-50 where there is the parable of the dragnet - that the bigger the net becomes, the greater the chance of catching both good and bad fish."

It seems very reassuring to me, that faced with all the different denominations, false teachers, confusing movements, cults and bizarre ideas all calling themselves "Christian", Jesus would warn us in a simple two sentence word picture that this would occur and in so doing remind us that He is in control and He knows who are the "fowls of the air".

[Vic]

Mustard plants as we see in Canada/US are not the same varieties as in asian countries.

a grainG2848 of mustard seed,G4615

mustard seed G4615
σίναπι
sinapi
Thayer Definition:
1) mustard, the name of a plant which in oriental countries grows from a very small seed and attains to the height of a tree, 10 feet (3 m) and more; hence a very small quantity of a thing is likened to a mustard seed, and also a thing which grows to a remarkable size

***
Mustard

sinapi (G4615), a word of Egyptian origin, is translated "mustard seed" in the NT. "The conditions to be fulfilled by the mustard are that it should be a familiar plant, with a very small seed, Mat_17:20; Luk_17:6, sown in the earth, growing larger than garden herbs, Mat_13:31, having large branches, Mar_4:31,...attractive to birds, Luk_13:19 [RV, '(became) a tree']. The cultivated mustard is sinapis nigra. The seed is well known for its minuteness. The mustards are annuals, reproduced with extraordinary rapidity...In fat soil they often attain a height of 10 or 12 feet, and have branches which attract passing birds" (A. E. Post, in Hastings Bib. Dic.).

The mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds for herbs and spices. And yet, just as the Gospel has expanded world wide and many have come to belong to Christ, its because of the witness and -attractiveness --to those in need.

One could say the birds are drawn to the tree for the food, rest and protection it offers... and liken it to the light on the hill...and to salvation offered by Christ, which cannot be hid when we know Him...

Mar 4:21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

Mar 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

It's interesting that the first parables in Mark 4 show the distinction of those who actually accept Christ and live for Him versus those who turn away, even after knowing the truth, or those who cannot receive it. Understanding of the sower parable appears to be paramount in understanding subesquent ones.

Mar 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
Mar 4:14 The sower soweth the word.
Mar 4:15 And 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.
Mar 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
Mar 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
Mar 4:18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
Mar 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Mar 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Mar 4:23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
Mar 4:24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

Mar 4:25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
Mar 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
Mar 4:27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
Mar 4:28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
Mar 4:29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
Mar 4:30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
Mar 4:31 It 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:
Mar 4:32 But 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.

The kingdom of God grows by His will into a kingdom far bigger than we can even begin to comprehend, and it is appealing to more than we can ever know.

[Mary]

a few short words (parables) give us so much to think about and learn from.