1.The Parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13 verse 31, Mark 4 verse 30,
Luke 13 verse 18)
By the end of the topic, learners should be able to:
Narrate the parable of the mustard seed.
State the significance of the parable of the leaven bread.
Give the lessons learnt.
1.0 Introduction
Jesus told another parable saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field, it is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."
1.1 The Parable of the Leaven (Matthew 13 verse 33, Luke 13 verse 20)
He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened."
1.2 Comments
Both parables fall under the parables of the Kingdom because they begin with the words, "The kingdom of heaven is like………"
A mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds but it sprouts into a very big tree which is almost unbelievable.
Mustard trees were a common sight in Palestine hence Jesus used them as an example in order to put across his message.
A grain of leaven is very small that it can be also unbelievable that it can leaven dough to make a big loaf of bread.
Since bread was the staple diet in Palestine, Jesus used leaven as an example in order to put his message across.
Jesus also used leaven in this parable to mean good influence.
God's kingdom grows on earth through the good influence of those whose hearts are given to him.
The beginning of the Kingdom seems small like an embryo yet it grows beyond recognition in the future.
Only a few grains of yeast or dough is enough to influence all the dough and to effect it right through out.
A few Christians may influence many and spread the faith throughout the world.
1.3 Lessons
The kingdom is humble in the beginning yet its great in its future.
The kingdom is already present as a tree is present in the seed.
Even a little faith in God is sufficient for anyone to receive Grace from God.
