Mustard seed (v 18-19)

“So He was saying, ‘What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and threw into his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the sky nested in its branches.’” (1) The phrase, “What is 〇〇 like? And to what shall I compare it?” is a common expression used when explaining truth through parables. In rabbinic discourse, it was acceptable to use parables to explain truth. (2) Jesus uses two parables to explain the “kingdom of God.” Here, “the kingdom of God” refers to “the kingdom as a mystery.” This refers to Christendom, which is the period from the birth of the church until the rapture. (3) The two parables presented here had already been spoken previously, but the reason they are brought up again at this point is to show what kind of result the hypocrisy of the leaders would bring. Jesus knew that the same thing which had happened within Judaism would also happen within Christendom. In that sense, these parables also serve as a warning to the disciples. (4) The mustard seed grows into a large tree in a short time. And in that tree, the birds of the sky come to make nests. The “birds of the sky” symbolize birds of prey (a symbol of evil spirits). This refers to heresies that make use of Christian teachings, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, and the Unification Church.

Leaven (v 20-21)

“And again He said, ‘To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three sata of flour until it was all leavened.’ (1) This is the second parable explaining “the kingdom as a mystery.” (2) Leaven, even in a small amount, brings about a great effect. Leaven represents false doctrine spreading within Christendom. (3) A small lump like leaven (doctrine) influences the entire three sata of flour. (4) The three sata of flour symbolize the three main branches of Christendom: (a) Catholicism, (b) Eastern Orthodoxy, (c) Protestantism. All of them contain some form of false teaching.　We are now living in the time of “the kingdom as a mystery.” Let us value daily Bible study and devotion, so that we are not swayed by false teachings. The truth will set us free.