513. MAT 13:31-32. THE PARABLE OF THE GRAIN OF MUSTARD SEED

Mat_13:31-32. The Parable of the Grain of Mustard Seed

"Another 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: 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." ’97Mat_13:31, Mat_13:32.

The text contains another of those parables which refer to the vegetable kingdom, and with which the rural auditory of Christ were intimately acquainted. He had led his hearers to contemplate the sower, casting his seed abroad, with the various results arising from the ground on which it fell. He had expatiated on the field which had produced both the wheat and tares, and he now wishes to present unto them an emblem of the origin, progress, and consummation of his spiritual kingdom. He therefore selects the mustard tree, refers to the smallness of its seed, and shows how it analogously describes that gracious administration he had come to set up in the world.

The parable strikingly exhibits the smallness of the origin’97the greatness of the progress’97and the glorious magnitude of his kingdom. Observe,

I. The smallness of the origin of the Saviour’s kingdom. "The kingdom of heaven, or the gracious spiritual reign of the Messiah, is like to a grain of mustard seed," "which is indeed the smallest of all seeds," Mat_13:31, Mat_13:32.

In how many points of light is this capable of illustration! Look,

1. At the birthplace of the Saviour. Bethlehem. Not Jerusalem, Mat_2:1, &c.

2. Consider the parentage of the Saviour. A carpenter his reputed father. A poor virgin his real mother.

3. The circumstances of his birth. How obscure and humiliating’97born in a stable’97laid in a manger. No room for the King of kings in the inn.

4. Notice the commencement of his ministry. At Nazareth. In comparative privacy. No parade or show connected with it.

5. See the character of his disciples and the officers of his kingdom. Fishermen. Tax gatherers, &c. None of the rulers or the great. His friends obscure, illiterate, poor.

6. The paucity of his followers and adherents. During any period of his life. At his apprehension. At his death. At his resurrection. When he ascended. They all met in an upper room in Jerusalem. Without learning. Wealth or influence. How apposite the metaphor: scarcely discernible as the small grain of mustard! But notice,

II. The greatness of its progress. The ideas in the text indicate progress’97rapid, increasing progress. Observe,

1. The rapid extension of the gospel and kingdom of Christ. In Jerusalem, the city of Christ’s death. In Samaria, &c. Through the then known world. So that forty years after Christ’s death, the cross of Christ waved in triumph in Corinth, Athens, Antioch, Rome, &c. Myriads had been converted. Of Jews and Gentile idolaters. Of the learned and illiterate. Of the rich and the poor, &c. This progress is the more wondrous if you reflect,

2. On the difficulties it had surmounted. The difficulties of inherent depravity in the human heart. The difficulties of old and sacred systems. Of worldly prejudices and interests. Of rulers and pagan authorities. Yet everywhere the word of the Lord grew, and his subjects were multiplied. We may well be led to inquire,

3. As to the principle of its success. It was the divine purity and inherent power of truth. The work of the Spirit of the Lord. "Gospel was the power of God." "Weapons were mighty through God." It was the light of heaven chasing away hellish gloom. The energy of truth overthrowing the delusion of error. The power of love annihilating the elements of wrath and evil. The Omnipotence of holiness overthrowing the principles of moral evil. Consider it,

III. In its final glorious magnitude. "When it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs," &c.

1. It shall gain the ascendency over all other systems of religion. Judaism. Every form of idolatry. Mohammedanism. The papacy. They must all decline and pass away. All be destroyed by the brightness and glory of Christ’s kingdom.

2. It shall evangelize all the nations of the earth. It is adapted to man in his general character. It will meet the moral state and spiritual wants and desires of all countries. It shall take root in every soil, and grow and thrive in every clime. It is to be carried into all the world, and preached to every creature. Hence its trophies shall be gathered out of all nations, and people, and colors, and tongues, Rev_7:9, &c.

3. It shall bless all men, and make all men blessed. See the resplendent visions of the inspired psalmist: Psa_72:16, Psa_72:17. Also Isa_60:21, &c. When God’s kingdom is set up and consummated, then his will shall be done on the earth even as it is done in heaven. The fact, and not however the glorious results of the triumphs of Christianity is presented to us in this parable.

Application

1. The subject is fraught with hope to the friends of Christ. "He must increase." Of his reign and dominion there shall be no end. All opposing elements shall be overthrown. The mountain shall be levelled, the valley exalted, &c.

2. The subject is matter of gratulation to all benevolent minds. His kingdom is one of righteousness, and peace, and joy. "Blessings abound where’er he reigns," &c.

3. It may properly lead to personal inquiry. Are we with and for Christ? His subjects. His friends. "The soldiers of the sacred Host of God’s elect." Are we laboring to diffuse the knowledge of his character, and offices, and work? Does his cause absorb our warmest affections’97our most intense and ardent zeal?

4. The obdurate enemies of the cross must perish. "His enemies he will clothe with shame," &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS