The Parable of the Weeds, the Mustard Seed and the Leaven
Read: Matthew 13:24-43
The parable of the weeds is often understood as depicting the mixed character of the church in
which true and false believers coexist until the final judgment. Unfortunately, the righteous and
the wicked are often mingled in the visible Church. Every Christian society has its weeds – those
who bear a resemblance to the good, but whose hearts are not right with God. In verse 27 we see
that a faithful and vigilant servant discovers the weeds and laments over them. The servant wants
to know where the weeds came from and desires to go and pull them out. But God judges quite
differently. He knows the good which are present and He has patience with the wicked. Christian’s
should be different than the world in conduct and character. But the fact is that we live in the midst
of a corrupt and godless society. As disheartening as this can be, we must understand that final
judgement will come. Verse 42 speaks of the end result for those who choose not to follow the
Lord. At the end of the age the wheat and the weeds will be separated and those that do evil will be
thrown into the fire whereas the righteous will shine like the sun (vs. 43).
A mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds known but the point of the parable is not the actual
size of the mustard seed. Rather it’s that the mustard seed comes from insignificant beginnings yet
the greatest of shrubs results from it. The same could be true of you. Do you have an insignificant
past? Do you sometimes feel unworthy or insecure? Jesus has a message for you today – you are
valuable in the Kingdom of God. Although you may feel like a tiny mustard seed, the grace of God
and His love can grow you into a huge shrub in which the birds of the air take refuge. Apply His
love and grace into your life and see what He can do through you!
The final parable talks about yeast or leaven and is a contrast between the tiny quantity of yeast
and the size if it’s effect. Just like the mustard seed is small, so there is a tiny amount of yeast yet it
spreads to huge proportions. It is similar with the Gospel – it started out small and insignificant but
has steadily grown! God’s Kingdom is growing, it is advancing – will you be part of it?
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Thank the Lord for His patience and that He desires for all to come into His Kingdom. Pray
that you would grow in having a similar desire.
2. Do you relate to the mustard seed? Are you willing to start small and let God grow you
throughout your lifetime? What are some of the small things that He is calling you to do?
