Daily Devotional For Saturday, November 15, 2025
Good morning. We are making our way through the Gospel of Matthew and in chapter 13, we get some more parables from Jesus about the kingdom of God. Look at Matthew 13:31-32:
“He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; (32) and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches” (NASB).
It is impossible for one parable to totally and completely describe God’s kingdom so Jesus gave some more to help His disciples understand God’s kingdom better. In this one, Jesus says that His kingdom would have a small beginning (a mustard seed) because it began with Him alone. Then it was joined by His 12 disciples and then others.. But in the future His kingdom would be expansive. In Jesus’ day, the smallest seed any farmer used was a mustard seed. To give you an idea of how small, it takes 20,000 mustard seeds just to make one ounce.
Through the years critics have argued that the mustard seed is not the smallest seed and thus this disqualifies any belief in Jesus. Jesus was not saying the mustard seed was the smallest seed in the world, but in His day this was the smallest seed used by farmers in Palestine to plant a specific crop. Because of its small size, it was used as an example in Jesus’ day in rabbinic proverbs to teach truths.
From this small seed would grow the largest shrub of all shrubs for herbs in Israel. Once planted and watered, this seed could grow a shrub up to 10-12 feet in a matter of weeks. While this is technically not a tree, but a shrub, by its size it appeared to be one. Jesus was using hyperbole to compare the smallest and insignificant to the largest. From this tiny seed, Jesus, God’s kingdom would grow to produce many believers in the future. While many in Jesus’ day saw that what He was doing was insignificant, one day they would be proven wrong.
Jesus mentioned birds in this parable. This only to stress how big His kingdom would be and to stress how big this “shrub” would be one day. Some New Testament scholars stress that based on Old Testament prophecy, the birds may allegorically represent Gentiles (See Ezekiel. 17:22-24 and Ezek. 31:6). New Testament scholar Bruce B. Barton writes this:
“For the disciples, and for us, this parable meant that size or relative power does not indicate final results. The disciples needed to understand that while their mission might at times seem unattainable, God’s kingdom would take root and grow across the world and through the years. This would be no political coup; 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” (Source: Bruce B. Barton, The Life Application Bible Commentary, “Matthew,” p. 270).
Assignment: Years ago as a youth, we used to sing a song called “Pass It On.” The first line began this way: “It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing.” It only takes the smallest word or gesture from us to share the Lord and soon that seed begins to grow in a person' s heart. This is why you do not have to have a seminary degree. You may see yourself as insignificant and small, but if you give what the Lord ask, He will make it grow in ways you cannot imagine. Who this week can you just plant a seed about the Gospel and the Lord? Take a chance and trust Christ.
Scripture To Meditate On: Matthew 17:20, “Jesus told them. ‘I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible’” (NLT).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, help me have enough faith, even as small as a mustard seed, to step out in faith with you to help spread the Gospel and Your kingdom. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside!--Pastor Kelly
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