THE MASTER'S MUSTARD

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THE MASTER'S MUSTARD
MATTHEW 13:31, 32

JESUS CHRIST in public secrecy taught His followers great truths
without His enemies understanding. To do this He used an
illustrative story form known as a parable. Matthew recorded
seven of these in his writing. The first two Jesus privately
explained to His disciples. In doing so He gave us guidelines
for understanding the other five.
In likening the kingdom to a mustard seed He revealed greater
truths than followers in subsequent generations have
comprehended. The most popular modern interpretation is to
accept it as a reference to rapid and large growth of the
kingdom. The most popular and widely accepted interpretation is
not always the best. That is no criteria for interpretation.
History denies the interpretation of the kingdom's rapid expanse
and the other parables teach the opposite NOTE:
I.WHAT THE MUSTARD SEED WAS NOT INTENDED TO BE
The mustard seed was intended to produce an herb but it grew to
a tree. It ceased to serve its intended purpose as a herb and
began to function as a tree in which birds roosted and nested. I
have seen such trees in the Bible land that were at least 12
feet tall.
Jesus said it grows from the smallest of seed. Horticulturists
know it is not the smallest of seeds. For example, the seed of
an orchid is smaller. Students of the Greek language also know
Jesus did not say it was the smallest. The Greek word used was
MIDROTEROR which is actually a comparativeand should be
translated "smaller" meaning very small. Of seeds planted in
ancient oriental gardens, it was however the smallest.
BIRDS ...

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