Jesus continues teaching in parables in Matthew 13:31-35.
31 Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”
Jesus is not providing a lesson on plants, so do not get distracted by the fact that there are smaller seeds and larger plants. He is using memorable word pictures to help people understand and remember His message. This parable applies to the church, those who submit to and follow Jesus. From something small and seemingly unimportant… a few disciples… comes forth a body of believers that is large and significant and impacts many in a positive way.
Jesus continues with a separate, similar parable to continue driving the point home.
33 Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”
Once again the parable of the yeast reminds us that something small and seemingly insignificant, a small body of followers of Jesus, can affect the whole loaf… or known world.
Both of these parables convey the rapid growth of the church from seemingly irrelevant to wonderfully significant. They may also be thought of in terms of our individual faith and service to God. When we each as individuals accept Jesus and begin on our journey toward living for the kingdom of God, we start with but a little part of us reflecting Jesus but given time and effort we can grow our faith to guide our entire l lives.
34 Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables. 35 This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet:
“I will speak to you in parables.
I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.[c]”
Jesus speaks in parables to reveal truth about the kingdom of God for those who will hear it and accept it. Others will dismiss it as stories and miss the point.
Ask yourself… “Am I allowing God’s instruction to affect all aspects of my life? Why not? What area(s) am I holding back and not submitting to God?”
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