"THE MUSTARD SEED AND THE LEAVEN"

“THE MUSTARD SEED AND THE LEAVEN”

LUKE 13:18-21

          So He was saying," What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?" It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and threw into his own garden; and it grew and became a tree and the birds of the air nested in its branches.

          And again He said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?" "It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid it in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened."

INTRODUCTION

          Sir Michael Costa was conducting a rehearsal in which the orchestra was joined by a great chorus. About halfway through the session, with trumpets blaring, drums rolling, and violins singing their rich melody, the piccolo player muttered to himself, “What good am I doing? I might as well not be playing. Nobody can hear me anyway.” So he placed his instrument to his lips but made no sound. Within moments the conductor cried, “Stop! Stop! Where is the piccolo?”

          Perhaps many people did not realize that the piccolo was missing, but the most important one did. So it is in the Christian life. God knows when we do not play the part assigned to us, even if others do not.

I.      A SMALL BEGINNING OF THE KINGDOM VV. 18-19A

          A single parable cannot completely describe the Kingdom of God in all its aspects, so Jesus gave several to help His audience to capture the scope and impact of the kingdom. Through this parable, Jesus explained that His kingdom would have a small beginning. Indeed, the kingdom began with Jesus alone and, upon His ascension, was left in the care of twelve apostles and just a few hundred other followers. Jesus compared the beginning of the kingdom to the mustard seed, which was the smallest seed the farmer used. The mustard seed was so small that it would take almost twenty thousand seeds to make an ounce. Modern critics have pointed out that the mustard seed is not the smallest seed, and they used this to argue against the accuracy of the Bible. Jesus was not making a scientific statement. He is not speaking in absolute terms as a biologist but in the frame of normal experience in Jewish agriculture. Mustard seeds were the smallest seeds commonly planted in Palestinian fields. Though the mustard seed is not the smallest in all of creation, it was used in rabbinic proverb to designate the smallest of things. No other seed so small produced such a large plant. During the fall, when its branches have become rigid, birds of many kinds find there a shelter from the storm, rest from weariness, and shade from the heat of the sun.

          From this tiny seed would grow a large shrub—the largest shrub among all the herbs that the farmer would plant in his garden. A mustard shrub could grow ten to twelve feet in just a few weeks. While that is not technically a tree, Jesus used hyperbole to stress both the insignificance (“smallest”) and magnificence of the kingdom. This is the point Jesus is making: just as a tiny seed will grow into the largest of garden plants, so God’s kingdom would produce many people who truly believe. What may not look like much to the world will in fact, fulfill all God’s promises. From this small start the kingdom will grow into such greatness that when Christ returns, it will take over the entire earth. Jesus is emphasizing the future greatness of the kingdom, which then seemed insignificant. He also showed that the kingdom had small beginnings but would grow and produce great results. Jesus is saying, what seems insignificant in its beginning will yield great results in the future when it grows.

II.   A SIGNIFICANT RESULT OF THE KINGDOM V. 19B

          When Jesus was arrested and hurriedly and unjustly tried and crucified, everyone in Israel, including the disciples thought that the kingdom of God had been destroyed. In fact, this disappointment was the topic of discussion on the Road to Emmaus after Jesus’ resurrection. Peter and others felt that their dream and the realization of the kingdom have been shattered. Therefore, they even decided to go back fishing. The religious authorities of Israel felt that they had halted Jesus’ so-called kingdom on earth. However, the death of Jesus was the event that would catapult the kingdom of God into prominence on earth.

          Jesus’ mention of the birds of the air added color to His parable or described the size of this shrub. For the disciples, and for us, this parable means that size or relative power does not indicate final results. The disciples needed to understand that while their mission sometimes seemed unattainable and even unproductive, God’s kingdom would take root and grow across the world and through the years. The kingdom would come not through political coup. The kingdom would come not through legislation, massive demonstrations, or political campaigns. The kingdom would grow steadily in people’s hearts, making a difference in people’s lives and preparing them for life to come in God’s eternal kingdom.

          Let me make a clarification here. The local church or even the universal church is not synonymous with the kingdom of God. Nevertheless the church is a very significant and intricate part of the kingdom of God. As a matter of fact, Jesus through the indwelling person of the Holy Spirit is using the church to bring about the consummation of the kingdom of God. The church has played and continues to play an important role in the advancement of the kingdom of God. The church has always experienced challenges since its inception on the Day of Pentecost. The Sanhedrin had intended to stamp out the church from its cradle after Pentecost, but it failed. The church is still marching on. Sects and ideologies almost always seem stronger than the church. Sects, cults, and ideologies fly; the church limps. Sects, cults, and ideologies die; the church limps on. Stay with the church of Jesus Christ. Imperial worship attempted to destroy the church during the reign of some of the Roman Emperors; today the Roman Empire is history but the church is thriving all over the world. Karl Marx ridiculed the Bible and called Christianity and the belief in God a crutch for weak people. Karl Marx is dead and long gone and his Marxist ideology has failed, but Christianity is thriving and the Bible is the number best seller in the world. Jesus Christ inaugurated His Kingdom not just to dwell side-by-side with the kingdoms of the world but that the Kingdom of Christ has come to take over and is taking over. Glory be to God. The mustard seed, which is the smallest seed, has become a mighty tree. Christ’s rule of grace, no matter how despised and seemingly insignificant at first, is bound to go forward, “conquering and to conquer.” “From victory unto victory His army He shall lead.”

          According to those who first heard it, this parable was saying, “Have patience, exercise faith, keep on praying, and keep on working. God’s program cannot fail.” It is saying the same thing to you and me who have entered the kingdom by His grace. Only it is saying it today with greater force, because the parable is really a prophecy and this prophecy is being fulfilled. The truth of the matter is that no man or woman can work his/her way into the kingdom. You have to enter in relationship with the King before you can be a part of the kingdom. Therefore, merely joining a church does not make you a son or daughter of the kingdom but giving your life to Jesus Christ does.

III.           A SATURATING NATURE OF THE KINGDOM V. 20

          The next parable will make sense to those of you who know how to make bread and other pastries. The tiny amount of yeast a bread maker mixes into a large batch of dough causes the whole loaf to rise. The general thrust of this parable is the same as that of the mustard seed. The kingdom produces ultimate consequences out of all proportion to its insignificant beginnings. If there is a distinction between this parable and the parable of the mustard seed, it is that the mustard seed suggests extensive growth and the yeast intensive transformation. The point of the parable is that yeast once inserted continues its process of fermentation until the whole batch has risen. The yeast suggests a remarkable pervasiveness of a small agent.

          In other Bible passages, yeast or leaven is used as a symbol of evil (Matt. 16:6). However, here it is a positive symbol of growth (e.g. Lev. 7:13-14; 23:17). Like the parable of the mustard seed, this parable stresses small beginnings with great growth. While the seed grows, however, the yeast (or leaven) permeates and transforms; thus we see another aspect of the kingdom. Although yeast looks like a minor ingredient, it permeates the whole loaf. Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God without display or pomp; its silent, secret character must have surprised those who were zealously impatient for its expected manifestation in power and glory.

          Although the kingdom had small beginnings, it would grow to have a great impact on the world. What the Jews saw as insignificant, the man Jesus and His little band of followers was actually the start of a great and world-changing event. Like leaven working its way through the dough, the kingdom message would spread across the entire world. Today, if you are genuinely born again; if you have indeed received Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior, you belong to the kingdom of God.

          If Peter, John, James, and the rest of the disciples were here to witness the impact of what Christ empowered them to begin, they would be surprised and grateful to Him for what He is doing in the present world. They would have known that their labors in and for Christ were not in vain.

          Sometimes when you read newspapers, listen to the news on TV and Radio, and you see all the bad things that are happening in the world, it seems to you that Christ has failed. However, before you jump to such conclusion and throw in the towel, wait a minute because the whole truth is not being told. These news media will not tell you the thousands of people that are being saved everyday. The media will not cover those who have given up their idols to serve Jesus Christ. The news media will not print in the front page prostitutes and gangsters who are coming to Jesus Christ in great numbers. The media will not tell you what Christ is doing in Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The Kingdom of God is taking over the control of the kingdoms of this present world. That is why the Muslims are angry; that is why the “Gay people are mad; that is why the Hindus and other religious sects are upset.” They are upset because the kingdom of God is moving like a flood.

          Do not be fooled into thinking that wealth, prestige, and huge donor base are typical for God’s church. The movement Jesus started and His followers continue today more often has a humble look to it—not very impressive at all, by modern standards. But the church endures while other movements disappear, and it grows while others crest and fall.

          The church is thriving and the kingdom of God is spreading because their source of power and purpose is supernatural. The question I have for you is this: Are you a part of this kingdom? Do you belong to this kingdom? What role do you play in this kingdom? What contribution do you make towards this kingdom? What investment are you making in this kingdom? As the kingdom is growing outwardly, it is also spreading internally in the believer’s soul. Are you allowing Christ to saturate His kingdom work in your life? Are you on daily basis becoming more conformed to the image of Christ? Are you renewing your mind daily and not be conformed to this world? When the kingdom has done its internal work in your life, you cannot help but allow the Spirit of God to use you to share the kingdom’s gospel with others who are yet to hear it. This is the final question to you. “Have you allowed the kingdom; that is the rule of Christ to permeate your heart and life? If you are not sure we can help you to be absolutely sure today. First, acknowledge that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself. Second, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. Finally, confess your sins to Him and confess Him as the Lord of your life. If you have taken these simple steps then, you are welcome into the kingdom of God.