Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field…’ (Matt. 13:31).
Knowing about the kingdom of heaven is important to born-again believers because it explains how God operates.
In verse 31, Jesus tells us the kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field – which is indeed the least of all seeds.
Now I want you to understand this. The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. The mustard seed represents the Word. The seed is sown in the field, which represents the ground of your own human heart. So the seed is the Word, and the field is your heart.
Consequently, we can decide what to sow in our hearts. Some people only want to sow the Word of God concerning money or healing, and they don’t what to hear about walking in love or living a holy life. However, when you decide to disregard God’s Word in a particular area of your life, that part of your life becomes unprofitable, and God can’t bless you.
Matthew 13:32 tells us that the mustard seed is the least of all seeds, but when it grows up, it is the greatest among herbs and becomes a tree so big that the birds come and lodge in the branches. When you spend time in God’s Word, you are sowing the Word in your heart, and it will grow up in you to become a huge tree, big enough for you and others to be blessed.
Then verse 33, tells us again what the kingdom of heaven is like: it’s like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Now, we’ve all heard the saying: one bad apple spoils the whole bunch. It’s true. If you had a barrel of good apples, and you took one rotten apple and put it in the barrel, then over a period of time, the whole barrel of apples will rot.
Well Jesus is saying the kingdom of heaven is just the opposite. You see, everything in your life may be rotten right now, but put a little Word in there, and let it stay and work in there until it makes everything else good.
That’s why it’s important to sow as much Word as we can in our hearts. Receive the Word that we don’t want to hear as well as that which we do want to hear. Sowing all of the Word in our hearts causes us to grow up and become strong in every area of life.
Scripture References: Luke 13:18-21; Mark 4:30-32: Matthew 17:20
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).