Parable of the Mustard Seed This is another of the teachings that Jesus gave to all his disciples, and his followers and detractors, who were attentive to every word that he Messiah He issued in favor of teaching them the approach of the kingdom of heaven, through his testimony and his word.
This parable, like the others given by Jesus, came to speak allegorically of a hidden message, in which he sought make reflection to his followers about the call that God had with the people of Israel, that they repent and see that the kingdom of heaven had come near.
Parable of the Mustard Seed
The Parable of the Mustard Seed says as follows:
«He told another parable to them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; which to truth is the smallest of all seeds; but when it has grown, it is the largest of vegetables, and becomes a tree, in such a way that the birds of the sky come and make nests in its branches” (Matthew 13:31-32).
In this parable Jesus refers to the kingdom of God, illustrating it through a story in which a A man sows a small seed in his field, that with the passing of time becomes a leafy and very large tree, where birds come and make their nests, making it their home. Alluding to what the prophet ezekiel express:
“I will plant it on the high mountain of Israel, and it shall put up branches, and bear fruit, and become a magnificent cedar; and all birds of all kinds will dwell under it; They will dwell in the shadow of its branches” (Ezekiel 17:23).
In this way, Jesus being a scholar of the word, understood in time and in the public that listened to him, expressed with this parable the fulfillment of the kingdom of God which the prophet Ezekiel announced. A kingdom that would be set above every mountain, and would manifest itself through Him as the true envoy of God.
Although this kingdom of which Jesus speaks was promised, for many of the listeners He did not fulfill the requirements to be that promised Messiah, therefore there were few who could have access to the protection of that tree to which he alluded in this parable, which in turn referred to the protection that David spoke of in the Psalm 91:
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1)
Likewise, it is an allegory of how the word given by Jesus and his testimony germinated in the midst of the Israel peoplegrowing its branches in abundance until today, when it is completely covering the whole earth with that promised kingdom of God.
You can also read Parable of the Leaven Matthew 13:33
Symbology of the Parable of the Mustard Seed
And the parable of the mustard seed It has several symbols that are important to analyze, to fully understand the message given by Jesus. And are next:
The Mustard Seed
The fact that Jesus will take the smallest seed as an example expresses the importance in glorify the Fatherbecause at that time it was despised for its size, since it was that of the head of a pin, and its value was seen with contempt.
However, despite being the smallest seed, it became a mustard tree reaching a great heightwhich could reach up to four meters with a thick stem, one meter and a half wide, so it is understood that for Jesus it was important for them to see that God could take what was despised and small to exalt it above the others.
grain growth
The growth of this seed It is shown in its beginning and the process that leads to its growth, making a contrast between a small beginning that culminates with a big result; that is to say, a poor present, and a future with the kingdom of heaven full of bonanza and prosperity.
This means that the seed of the kingdom sown is the God’s word that Jesus sowed in the people of Israel, and from that moment it continues to be spread throughout the world, and is growing in a supernatural way, until reaching the purpose for which it was spread.
The Tree and the Birds
Speaking in the parable about the tree that grew and he received the birds in his lapwho found their refuge there, refers to what in the Old Testament represented kings and empireswho offered protection to all the people and the nation, in this case it represents those birds that Jesus alludes to.
These arise as a product of the response given by the prophet ezekielwho speaking on behalf of God after Israel was invaded by the king nebuchadnezzarhope had ended, so God announced that he was going to raise up a branch of which he would form his own kingdom, and under which he would come to shelter all nations and peoples.
“And all the trees of the field will know that I, Jehovah, have brought down the sublime tree, raised up the low tree, made the green tree wither, and made the dry tree green again. I, the LORD, have spoken it, and will do it” (Ezekiel 17:24).
In this way, Jesus comes to show everyone that through Him said prophecy would be fulfilled, since God would be sowing the kingdom of heaven through his ministry, with which he would come to give shelter to all the people of all the peoples and nations, until this time that is lived.
Reflection when sowing the Mustard Seed
the parable of mustard seed He comes to teach that something very big can emerge from the smallest, minute and insignificant, the best example of this is Jesus himself, who was a teacher in his time, but was valued by others. priests, Pharisees and scribes of its time, but it became the greatest reference of the power of God in the world.
that tiny seed that was sown through the death of Jesus on a cross, is growing more and more, becoming a leafy treemajestic whose ramifications extend to the ends of the world, bringing freedom from the slavery of souls.
In this way, the kingdom of God that had a small beginning at this time continues to expand until there is no room in it. heaven and earth where his power is not felt, since the word given by Jesus continued with a group of discipleswho until now continue to give the good news of salvation to the world for the fulfillment of the Word exposed in Apocalypse:
“After this I looked, and, behold, a great multitude, which no one could count, from all nations and tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and in the presence of the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and with palm branches in their hands. hands” (Revelation 7:9)
You can also read Parable of the Wheat and the Tares – Narration and Explanation
To finish, the parable of the mustard seed It is a tangible sign that the kingdom of heaven is germinating in the spiritual world, until the earth is prepared for the second coming of Jesus with his unshakable kingdomTherefore, all believers must carry that word that is sown in the lives of many people who need to receive the freedom of the kingdom of heaven.