August 14, 2011 Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven

The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32)



Jesus also begins these parables with ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is like…’

   Major elements of the mustard seed parable:

·       Mustard Seed (also used in Matthew 17:20, Luke 17:6)

                  ·       Mustard Plant (grow to be the largest plant in the garden)
             ·       Birds
             ·       Field
  
  Jesus explains that the Kingdom will start small but grow into the largest plant in the garden. What’s the significance of the birds in this parable? The Mustard Tree gives safe rest to the travelling birds who in turn eat insects from the garden. Getting rid of the pest help the plants yield more 'fruit.'



The Parable of the Leaven (Matthew 13:33)

   Major elements of the leaven parable:

           ·       Leaven (Love of Jesus)

                ·       Woman
                ·       Flour
                ·       Dough
  
    
A extraordinary amount of dough is illustrated to show the abundance of Jesus' love.

Jesus explains that a little of His love can make a big change in a person’s life.