Yesterday I shared how the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-31) demonstrated there is a design, plan and purpose for the kingdom for the kingdom of heaven. Matthew recorded the words of Jesus there in which He stated, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. {32} Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.”
The mustard seed Jesus was referring to was likely the plant “brassica migra” known as black or white mustard. It is a very fast growing plant in the herb family. Wild versions of this plant grow along the Jordan River today reaching heights over 10 feet tall and are certainly big enough for birds to perch on them. This plant has stocky branches which are strong enough to hold many types of birds.
There are some things it would be good to note from what Jesus is saying here between the connection of the mustard seed and the kingdom of heaven. Do not judge things by their size. You cannot necessarily make a correct determination if you only look at something with your eyes. The mustard seed when given opportunity grows beyond what most people see as its potential.
There was only a small group of people following Jesus and truly committed to the kingdom of heaven the day He told this parable, but the potential for a world wide, powerful, influential, life transformational kingdom movement was already present. Growth of the mustard seed into a large plant that birds could perch on was incredibly fast as would be growth in the kingdom of heaven on earth. This is why Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This is also why Jesus demonstrated this reality as His faced the Cross of Calvary praying, “not my will but yours be done.”
We should also note the inclusiveness in this parable of the kingdom of heaven. There were no limitation place on the number of kinds of birds which might choose to perch in the branches of the mustard plant. The kingdom of heaven does not set out limits of who is eligible to be part of it. The kingdom of heaven is open to whosoever is willing to choose to align with the principles of the kingdom. All peoples, all classes, all colours have the opportunity and are welcome if they are willing to choose to follow Jesus.
Tomorrow I want to share a secret “they” don’t want you to know about regarding the kingdom of heaven that is revealed in this parable by Jesus.