Parable of the Mustard Seed & Parable of the Leaven (Matthew 13:31-33)
Both parables that we are studying today are talking about the same thing, albeit from different angles. Keep in mind, in Jesus’ parables, He uses items that people are familiar with at that time.
Parable of the Mustard Seed
While a mustard seed starts out small (approx. 1-2mm in diameter), it leads to a disproportionately big outcome (other egs = Matt 13:31-32, 17:20, Luke 17:6).
Parable of the Leaven
Leaven:
Raising agent that causes dough to rise such as yeast, baking agent, mother dough etc
Usually, carries a negative connotation:
OT offerings (Exo 12:15, Lev 2:11)
Used by Lord Jesus to describe doctrines (Matt 16:6-12) and hypocrisy of the Pharisees (Luke 12:2)
Used by Paul to describe wcked influences (1 Cor 5:6) and doctrines (Gal 5:9)
However, it is not always used in a “bad sense” (Lev 23:17)
Therefore, when “leaven” is used as an analogy, the focus is on its characteristic of growth/spread.
In this specific parable, when Kingdom-leaven is mixed in, it spreads, grows and influences.
Phases of Kingdom Growth
After Jesus was crucified, while others feared and ran away (Luke 23:49), the 11 disciples remained faithful in following Him (Matt 28:16-17)
After His ascension, His followers grew from 120, to 3,000 to multitudes worldwide (Acts 1:15, 2:41, 5:14)
Divinely-forced scattering of followers led to the preaching of the Word (Acts 8:1-4)
Paul travelled and went on missionary journeys to spread the Gospel (Acts 11:25-26)
Hence, there is a mustard seed and leaven effect in the Kingdom - Jesus’ followers grew from 120 in Jerusalem to worldwide, and lives transformed from darkness to light
In addition, the Kingdom of Heaven:
will grow in the “good soils” (Matt 13:1-23)
will co-exist with “tares” (Matt 13:24-30, 37-43)
will have “mustard seed” growth (Matt 13:31-32)
will spread Its influence like a “leaven” (Matt 13:33)
its growth is promise-bound (Acts 1:8, Matt 28:18-20)
Implcations
Therefore,
● Know
If I’m an unbeliever: know Jesus, believe in Him for eternal life
Believers: know The Lord’s Kingdom plan & promises
● Glow
With happiness, that Kingdom plan is in His Sovereign control
Shine Jesus’ Light to the world through our lives
● Sow
The Gospel Seed into the world
By faith, as we stand on God’s promise of the growth and transformation of His Kingdom, may we confidently shine forth Jesus’ Light to the world and tell them about His Light!
Komentar