The Mustard Seed

God says of His kingdom, “It is like a grain of a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”  

The aspect of this parable we always think of is that mustard seeds are tiny and become the largest of trees (shrubs), and in this way are like the kingdom of God.  That’s what Jesus himself says in Matthew.  But in Luke, quoted above, Jesus does not interpret the parable for us, which leaves us some space to interpret it ourselves, remembering that the most important interpretation is Christ’s.

Mustard trees can be as wide as they are tall.  They are like semi-circles, and they can be quite messy, which makes them look like comfortable homes for birds.  They are quite full, too, so they are a good place for birds to get out of the sun.  The Christian tries to be like a comfortable home for the people who spend time with him.  It is good for his presence to be like a cool shade which provides his friends a nice rest from the outside world.

Mustard trees produce a purple fruit that is sweet and nutritious.  It is up to every Christian to bear fruit, and for their fruit to mix sweetness and substance.  Substance without sweetness is harsh and ultimately resented by the person who receives it.  Sweetness without substance is ephemeral and doesn’t really help.  The right balance hits home but in a gentle way.

When a seed is planted, it is hidden in the earth.  It goes through a period of dormancy, before it germinates and puts out shoots.  These shoots remain underground until they get large enough to break into the open air.  The kingdom of God is also hidden at first, and can come into a person’s life without his even being aware of it.  This time of dormancy and germination is the preparation for the epiphany a person has when he suddenly becomes aware of the kingdom of God: When he suddenly sprouts into the light.

The fruits (and seeds) of a mustard tree aren’t used to make mustard, nor are they popularly consumed like apples.  But the mustard tree has borne a fruit more wonderful than any other tree: It has been used by Jesus to reveal the mystery of the kingdom of God.