The Mustard Seed & The Kingdom Age

The story line of this parable requires a little more thought than some others because the truth about mustard seed and the resultant plant is probably not as the parable suggests;

"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches." (Matthew 13:31- 32)

The mustard seed is indeed small, but in botanical terms not the smallest and although it does grow both rapidly and to a considerable size, not in any way could the resultant plant be called a tree and under no stretch of the imagination could birds be said to be able to nest in the branches of such a plant. The story is therefore an exaggeration of the truth in order to make a point. Possibly the key feature of the parable is as follows; small beginnings with great results. The kingdom of heaven will grow from something very small to something large, so large that something represented by birds will be able to rest in it.

Let us build on the teaching outlined in the 'Parable of the Fig Tree' that the Kingdom of Heaven is in reality the Kingdom of God. A kingdom which he has delegated to Jesus his Son, who will return from heaven to earth to establish a time of peace and goodness and reign as king on behalf of his Father. However, the parable under scrutiny provides an extra dimension to our thinking; when the kingdom is established it will have a tremendous impact upon the world. It will change the whole structure of society in fact the world will never be the same again! How do I know this? By finding out the meaning of this 'great tree and message of the birds resting in its branches.'

In many Bibles there is provided a 'cross reference' system whereby the reader can find quotations, allusions and parallel records in other parts of the Bible. These can often assist the reader in finding out a meaning for obscure or difficult passages. In many such reference Bibles, the reader will be directed to the prophet Daniel and to King Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a tree which is described as follows;

"Its leaves were lovely, its fruits abundant and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it. The birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches." (Daniel 4:12)

Also in the prophecy of Ezekiel, a passage with similar ideas will be found;

"On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it; and it will bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a majestic cedar, under it will dwell birds of every sort; in the shadow of its branches they will grow." (Ezekiel 17:23)

These passages suggest that trees are representative of nations - their power and prestige. The peace provided by such strong nations enable people to dwell in safety like birds, dependent upon trees for safety and protection.

The context of the passage quoted from Ezekiel is even more illuminating, read carefully the whole section and you may find evidence of the growth of Messiah - the young shoot which was to grew and become a vine - maybe the very language which Jesus was to use as the basis for his own teaching reported in the Gospel of John chapter fifteen!

To summarise, Jesus, in his parable of the mustard seed was contrasting small beginnings with astonishing results. He was also alluding to Old Testament prophesies which describe kingdoms as trees and suggesting that the Kingdom of God would not only have small beginnings and progress to be mighty and influential but also be a political entity providing peace and security for many peoples.

Let us now develop the theme of the Kingdom Age and identify a little of the Bible teaching which describes this new world order Bible passages which could be read and thought about are;

"Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert." (Isaiah 35:5 -6)

"But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD; I will put my law in their minds and write it in their hearts; and I will be their God and they shall be my people." (Jeremiah 31:33)

"He shall have dominion from sea to sea ... Yea, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him ... His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. and men shall be blessed in Him. All nations will call Him blessed." (Psalm 72:8,11-17)

There will be fundamental physical changes in the earth and with life upon it. There will be particularly changes in Israel for the people and the land. There will be a new world ruler who will establish new laws with a new morality providing peace and purity throughout the world.

For out of Zion will go the law and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation. Neither shall they learn war anymore." (Isaiah 2:3-4)