The Parable of The Mustard Seed
March 25, 2021
Commentary
In Palestine, a grain of mustard seed was a symbol for the smallest possible thing. (vv. 30-32) Actually it was not the smallest seed known. Palestinian mustard seed is about the size of our petunia seed. However, this tiny seed when it is planted in the ground becomes a tree that has been known to reach over twelve feet in height. Things that seem very small and insignificant, to us at the moment, have the potential of becoming large. This is true of both good and evil. Jesus used many stories like this to help them understand his teaching (v. 33). In fact He didn’t tell them anything without using stories (v. 34).
After teaching the large crowd Jesus was exhausted and got into a boat where He stretched out and was soon asleep (vv 35-41). A great storm came up and the boat was filling with water, but Jesus continued to sleep. The disciples had to awaken Him and as soon as He saw the problem He quieted the storm. This life is full of the storms of sorrow, problems and anxiety but Jesus understands and wants to replace our fear when we place our faith in Him and realize He is in the storm with us.
Application
The question is - How do I respond to the storms of life?
___ I can handle this.
___ Why did this happen to me?
___ Blame others.
___ Turn to the Lord for help.
Mark 4:30– 41 (NET)
30 He also asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to present it? 31 It is like a mustard seed that when sown in the ground, even though it is the smallest of all the seeds in the ground— 32 when it is sown, it grows up, becomes the greatest of all garden plants, and grows large branches so that the wild birds can nest in its shade.”
33 So with many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear. 34 He did not speak to them without a parable. But privately he explained everything to his own disciples.
35 On that day, when evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go across to the other side of the lake.” 36 So after leaving the crowd, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat, and other boats were with him. 37 Now a great windstorm developed and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was nearly swamped. 38 But he was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. They woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die?” 39 So he got up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Be quiet! Calm down!” Then the wind stopped, and it was dead calm. 40 And he said to them, “Why are you cowardly? Do you still not have faith?” 41 They were overwhelmed by fear and said to one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and sea obey him!”