Jonathan Munson, Executive Director, RFTH

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.  Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants…”  Matthew 13:31-32

When you and I picture a kingdom, we typically envision something like we’ve seen in The Lord of the Rings or on Game of Thrones…a massive, impregnable castle with armed guards and royal banners waving in the wind.  

In no way do we think, ‘mustard seed.’ 

Neither did Jesus’ disciples. 

I’m sure they were quite confused by Jesus’ words.  

After all, they expected a Messiah who would deliver them from the Romans and restore the nation of Israel, not one who talked about farming.  

In the days of Jesus, a mustard seed was the smallest seed known to man, barely bigger than the period at the end of this sentence. It’s so tiny that it takes over 500 mustard seeds to make a gram and 15,000 seeds to equal one ounce.  

(That doesn’t sound like much of a kingdom to me.)

And yet, one mustard seed grows into a beautiful mustard tree, reaching anywhere from 10 to 30 feet in the air.

In a similar way, Jesus teaches us the kingdom of heaven starts small, like a mustard seed, and grows best in the soil of humble beginnings.  

Case in point: the manger.

I mean, if ever there’s a metaphor for a mustard seed, it’s the manger, right?

On a holy night thousands of years ago, King Jesus took on flesh and dwelled among us. He came not as a powerful, majestic King but as a frail, helpless infant. No one celebrated His arrival except a peasant couple, a few shepherds, and some barnyard animals. From a human perspective, the King’s coming was unimpressive and pathetic. It was certainly no way to start a kingdom.     

But that night, a mustard seed began to bud in Bethlehem. Jesus, Abraham’s promised “Seed” (Galatians 3:16), had finally arrived. 

Truthfully, at first, Jesus’ kingdom didn’t look like it would amount to much. But after His Life, Death, and Resurrection, that mustard seed didn’t just grow; it exploded.  

Gene Brooks writes, “Within forty years of the Resurrection, there were churches in every major city of the Roman Empire. Within two and a half centuries, the entire Roman Empire was Christianized, not by a sword like Islam, but by the grace of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Fast-forward to the twenty-first century, and today, there are over two billion Christians worldwide.  

Not bad for a measly little mustard seed…

Celebrating Christmas each year reminds us that God’s kingdom does not operate like the kingdoms of this world. In our world of on-demand programming, and Amazon Prime deliveries, the Lord’s way of operating is out of sync with our fast-paced world. We’re used to getting what we want when we want it. 

But carrying this same mentality into our spiritual lives leaves us frustrated and confused. If the Lord doesn’t work precisely when or how we expected Him to, we wonder if He knows what He’s doing…or if He truly cares.     

Well, let me reassure you: God does know what He’s doing, and He does care. 

The manger and the mustard seed teach us that the Lord often prefers ‘slow and steady’ over ‘fast and flashy.’ ‘Small and simple’ over ‘big and bold.’

The manger invites us to embrace humility and dependence. The mustard seed calls us to trust His timing instead of our own. And Christmas is the perfect season to adjust our souls to the speed and rhythm of His Kingdom.

Remember, just because He doesn’t work as fast as Amazon, doesn’t mean He isn’t working. Like a mustard seed underground, He is working in ways you can’t fully recognize…at least, not at the moment.

But as your life moves forward…if you continue to walk in trust and obedience…one day, you’ll look back and marvel at how much that little mustard seed has grown. 

“Heavenly Father, thank you for the way the seed of the kingdom has grown in my own heart.  I want You to continue to work in and through my life. I surrender to Your timing. Though I may not understand all that you’re doing, I choose to trust You. In the humble, powerful name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.”