From the Smallest of Seeds Grows a Big Faith

The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed.

Last fall, we visited the Burgundy region of France and stayed in Beaune—the heart of wine country. Ancient, detailed architecture, chapels, and pebbled narrow streets, along with a slower pace of life, greeted us. We had time traveled to an unfamiliar past.

I grew excited. A familiar word from television commercials in the 1980s advertising Dijon mustard. Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard, to be exact. You might remember it. Two snooty Frenchmen touting the condiment as a foodie must-have. I’m still a fan of the spread, especially on ham sandwiches.

Dijon mustard production boasts a centuries-long history. Monks and artisans refined the craft in the 1300s in Dijon, France, the capital of the Burgundy region.

In the 1700s, using verjuice rather than vinegar resulted in a unique taste. Verjuice is extracted from unripe grapes and resulted in the milder and smoother Dijon mustard we know today. Dijon was granted exclusive rights to produce this mustard in the 17th century.

Dijon, France was once part of Burgundy’s wine region and featured vast vineyards. The city no longer harvests wine, having transformed its grape vines into mustard fields that produce the famous mustard familiar to this American.

Heaven is Like a Mustard Seed

Learning about the city of Dijon and its mustard-making process reminded me of The Parable of the Mustard Seed.

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 seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.

(Matthew 13:31-32 NIV)

The Parable of the Mustard Seed is one of the lessons Jesus taught as He traveled through towns and villages on the way to Jerusalem. We also find the parable in Mark 4:30-32 and Luke 13:18-21.

A mustard seed, though tiny, has notable growth potential. Jesus compares the seed to the meager beginnings and growth of the kingdom of heaven. The parable of the mustard seed is short but points out three vital characteristics of God’s kingdom.

1. Modest Beginnings

Jesus likened the mustard seed to the beginning of the Kingdom. In the early church, the followers were few. They were the unknown—often considered ignorant and dishonorable. Though small, the group firmly established their faith’s foundation.

2. Expansive Spread

The smallest of all seeds produces a plant as large as a tree, just like God’s Kingdom. The Sower of the seed is Jesus, and by the power of the Gospel, the church spread throughout the world.

3. Inclusive Refuge

The image of birds nesting in the branches illustrates the welcoming shelter of the Kingdom for all who pursue it.

Our Faith and the Smallest of Seeds

Our faith is like a mustard seed. Perhaps it had humble beginnings, started out small. With nurturing, the smallest of faiths flourishes like the healthiest of garden plants. We must allow it to take root and grow within us. We persevere with God’s Word and trust His divine plan. And as our faith blossoms, we can’t help but share it with others.

In biblical times, mustard seeds were the smallest of seeds and produced huge plants, serving as a suitable illustration of the progress of the church and the nature of our faith.

Even the smallest faith has power. Hear what Jesus says in Matthew 17:20:

If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

This does not imply we can literally move a mountain, but that with faith, we can overcome hardships that once seemed impossible. We have only to put our trust in Jesus and submit to His will.

Blast from the Past: Click to view a classic commercial.

Resources: The Bible Hub Topical Encyclopedia and Barnes’ Notes on the Bible.

May our faith continue to expand.

Immersed in His Love,

Candyce

With nurturing, the smallest of faiths flourishes like the healthiest of garden plants. #christianliving #devotions Share on X

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