Matthew 13:31-33
Parable of the Mustard Seed
31 Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”
Parable of the Yeast
33 Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”
When studying the parables of the mustard seed & yeast I've found that there are 2 different ways to interpret them.
Obviously when Jesus was telling these parables he had a particular point he was getting across about the Kingdom of Heaven. So I’m not sure both interpretations can be correct when we’re talking about Jesus’ original intent when he taught them.
But what's interesting is even though its unlikely both of them can be Jesus’ original intent, the conclusions both interpretations come to are biblically true.
Which I think is interesting, so I like to teach them alongside each other.
Whenever we come across a parable in order to understand it first you have to identify the key figures or pieces of the story and figure out what they’re representing. Once we know what they represent we can piece it together to find out what the parable is teaching.
Ezekiel 17:22-24
22 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take a branch from the top of a tall cedar, and I will plant it on the top of Israel’s highest mountain. 23 It will become a majestic cedar, sending forth its branches and producing seed. Birds of every sort will nest in it, finding shelter in the shade of its branches. 24 And all the trees will know that it is I, the Lord, who cuts the tall tree down and makes the short tree grow tall. It is I who makes the green tree wither and gives the dead tree new life. I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do what I said!”
Psalms 91:1-2
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
Now let's get into the 2nd way to interpret these two parables.
I must warn you, for those who have never heard these parables taught differently than what we just went over, this is probably going to be pretty shocking, as this interpretation is very different from the previous and it's not as cheerful.
In light of that though let's remember two things as we go into this interpretation.
The first is what I said at the beginning of this message: the conclusions both interpretations come to are biblically true. And I’ll have supporting scripture to back that.
And second is what Jesus tells Peter in Matthew 16:18
18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
The takeaway to keep in mind from this passage is the last part. The powers of hell will never conquer the church.
Now does that mean it's always smooth sailing for the church? No. Satan has his days, even in the church. But Satan will never conquer the Church. The Kingdom of Heaven will persevere and eventually see victory over the enemy.
So again keep those two things in mind as we go into the 2nd way to interpret these parables.
Acts 20:28-30
28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. 29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.
2 Corinthians 11:12-15
12 But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours.13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.
Jesus’ own ministry had a Judas. Why should we expect ours to be any different?
Your job as the church in light of this truth about the Kingdom is to know the word. Know right from wrong, truth from lies so that when false teachers come you can identify it, and stand firm in truth. When Judas’s come to bring disunity you don't participate in it.
2 Peter 2:1-2
1 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.
This leads nicely into the 2nd interpretation of the Parable of the Yeast…
Matthew 24:10-13
10 And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Now lets take both interpretations of both parables and fuse them together to get a complete picture of what we learned today about what the Kingdom of Heaven is Like…
