Devotions from Israel – Matthew 13 (Mustard Seed Parable)

by | Aug 11, 2021 | Context and Culture of the Bible, Devotionals from Israel, Historical Geography, Israel Tour, Life of Jesus | 0 comments

Mustard seed field

An encouraging word from Matthew 13 (Mustard Seed Parable)

 

Biblical Israel Ministries & Tours (BIMT) is all about teaching the Bible in the context of the land of Israel and other biblical countries (Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Italy). We teach the historical geography of the Bible as well as archaeology, customs and culture of the land. We aim to make connections between  the Bible and the land in all that we do.

This is another session in the new series of teaching videos called “Devotions from Israel.” This brief five-minute devotional comes from Matthew 13. The setting for this narrative is the Galilee and the fields of mustard seed plants.

 

About the Devotional

 
 
It has been said that faith comes in all sizes. We often hear people talk about someone who has “an incredible amount of faith.” On the other hand, some of us feel at times our faith is small and ineffective in helping us live victoriously in Christ. We may even feel our faith is weak. To Jesus, it wasn’t an issue of the size or quantity of faith, but rather the quality of our faith.
 
In a parable recorded in Matthew 13, Jesus illustrated this faith principle by using a mustard seed. Today, mustard grows wild in Israel, especially in the Galilee and in the Golan. The fields are seasonally covered with a blanket of yellow. As one picks a pod from the plant and opens it up, tiny seeds fall into the palm of our hand. One’s eyesight needs to be fairly good to see the seeds! 🙂

“It’s not the size of our faith that matters, but rather the quality of our faith. In and through the small things that we do, God can use us to accomplish great things for the kingdom of God.”

Tiny mustard seed
While having very tiny seeds, a mustard plant can grow anywhere. I have seen plants grow and flourish in the rockiest terrain. I’ve also seen boulders split into two by a single plant. Jesus likened the forward advancement of the kingdom of God to the growing of the mustard plant. Like small seeds growing in the harshest of environments, nothing can hold back the kingdom of God taking root and growing within the lives of those who follow Christ.
 
Yet another life lesson can be learned from this tiny seed. Oftentimes we are invited by our pastor or Christian leader to do great things for God. Yet we feel we are not gifted to do such great things. We feel intimidated by such a high calling. Rather, perhaps the focus should be upon first doing small things for God and for others. Truth is, everyone of us can do small things for God and others. As we look for opportunities to do these small things, God can use us to impact others in great ways! Like the small mustard seed, we are simply invited to grow where we are planted.
 
Be encouraged today. In our smallness, God can use us in His kingdom!
 
I hope you enjoy this video below. These five minute devotionals are produced on a regular basis. We are sharing two devotionals per week this summer. As you are encouraged by the video, please consider sharing this post with others for their encouragement as well.

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