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THE GRAIN OF MUSTARD-SEED
“VERY excellent things are spoken of thee, thou city of God.” There is nothing either in heaven or earth which may not well serve to shadow forth thine excellencies. Our Lord had already illustrated the nature of his kingdom by a great variety of most instructive parables; and now stretches, as it were, his invention, in order to find other similitudes whereby to make it more fully understood. But choosing, as he always did, to bring his illustrations from things most obvious and familiar, he compares his Church and kingdom to a grain of mustard-seed. We shall,
I. Illustrate this comparison—
“The kingdom of God” means, in this as in a multitude of other places, the visible kingdom of Christ established in the world, arid his invisible kingdom erected in the hearts of men. We must illustrate the comparison therefore,
1. In reference to the Church of Christ in the world—
[The mustard-seed is the smallest of all those seeds which grow to any considerable size: and such was the Church of Christ at its first establishment in the world. It consisted at first of our Lord and his twelve Disciples; and even after our Lord’s ascension, their number was only one hundred and twenty. Soon however it spread forth its branches. As the mustard-seed, notwithstanding its smallness, grows up (in the eastern countries) into a tree of some magnitude, so did the Church, notwithstanding its unpromising appearances, extend its limits with astonishing rapidity. In the space of but a very few years, it filled, not Judsea only, but the whole Roman empire. Nor is it yet grown to its full dimensions. It will in the latter days overspread the whole earth. All the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ. And as Jews and Gentiles have already taken refuge under its shadow, so shall the people of all nations and languages in God’s appointed time [Note: This by the spirit of prophecy is beautifully described as passing More the prophet’s eyes, and as exciting great astonishment in the church itself. Isa_49:18-21.].]
2. In reference to the grace of God in the heart—
[Grace, when first implanted in the soul, is often very small, shewing itself only in some glimmering views, slight convictions, good desires, faint purposes, and feeble endeavours. But in process of time it grows in every part; it shoots forth its roots into the soul, and becomes stronger in all its branches. The faith which was weak, is confirmed; the hope that was languishing, is made lively and abundant; and the love that was but cold and selfish, displays itself with purity and fervour. And all, who come within the sphere of its influence, receive rest and refreshment from its salutary shade [Note: Hos_14:7.]. Indeed its full growth cannot be seen in this world. For that glorious sight, we must ascend to heaven, where every tree of righteousness flourishes with unfading beauty, and exhibits in the brightest colours the power and efficacy of the Redeemer’s grace.]
Such being the import of the comparison, we shall now proceed to,
II. Improve it—
The parts of our improvement must necessarily have respect to the different views in which the parable has been explained.
We shall draw from it therefore some observations;
1. For our encouragement respecting the Church at large—
[It is to be lamented that infidelity and profaneness have overrun the world; and that this tree which the Lord hath planted, has been so “wasted and devoured by the wild beasts of the field [Note: Psa_80:8-13.].” But still the stock remains, nor shall it ever be rooted up. It shall yet “shoot forth its roots downward and bring forth fruit upward [Note: 2Ki_19:30.].” At various seasons the Church has been contracted within very narrow limits; yet has always been preserved. In the days of Noah and of Abraham, the branches were cut down, and nothing remained but the mere stem; yet it put forth fresh branches, and extended them far and wide. So shall it do yet again, till at last it cover the whole earth. Where there is nothing now but idolatry and every species of wickedness, there shall one day be “holiness to the Lord inscribed upon the very bells of the horses [Note: Zec_14:20.].” Let us then water this tree with our prayers and tears. Let us help forward its growth by every means in our power; and look with confidence to that period, when all the nations of the world shall come and sit under its benign shadow.]
2. For our consolation under personal doubts and apprehensions—
[From the smallness of our attainments we are sometimes ready to doubt whether the little seed of grace in our hearts will ever grow up to any use or profit. But there is not a saint in heaven whose grace was not once comparatively weak. All were once “as new-born babes;” nor was it till they had learned many humiliating lessons, that they attained to the age of young men and fathers [Note: 1Jn_2:12-13.]. Thus in the natural world, the largest oak was once an acorn, and the largest mustard-tree a little and contemptible seed. Why then should any despond because of present appearances? Why should not we hope that in process of time our graces shall be strengthened, and our wide-extended branches be filled with fruit? Our God assures us that he does “not despise the day of small things [Note: Zec_4:10.];” why then should we? Let us trust, and not be afraid. Let us look up to heaven for the genial influences of the sun and rain: nor doubt but that God will accomplish the work he has begun [Note: Php_1:6.]; and “fulfil in us all the good pleasure of his goodness.”]