365 Days in the Gospels and Spirit of Prophecy
Small Start, World-Changing Impact — March 31 [Description]
Bible discovery
Matthew 13:31-32 365D 90.1
31 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, 365D 90.2
32 which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” 365D 90.3
30 Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? 365D 90.5
31 It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 365D 90.6
32 but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.” 365D 90.7
Luke 13:18-19 365D 90.8
18 Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 365D 90.9
19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a [f] large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.” 365D 90.10
Spirit of Prophecy Reading
Christ’s Object Lessons pp.76-79: 365D 90.11
This chapter is based on Matthew 13:31, 32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18, 19. 365D 90.12
In the multitude that listened to Christ's teaching there were many Pharisees. These noted contemptuously how few of His hearers acknowledged Him as the Messiah. And they questioned with themselves how this unpretending teacher could exalt Israel to universal dominion. Without riches, power, or honor, how was He to establish the new kingdom? Christ read their thoughts and answered them: 365D 90.13
“Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?” In earthly governments there was nothing that could serve for a similitude. No civil society could afford Him a symbol. “It is like a grain of mustard seed,” He said, “which, when it is sown upon the earth, though it be less than all the seeds that are upon the earth, yet when it is sown, groweth up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and putteth out great branches; so that the birds of the heaven can lodge under the shadow thereof.” (R.V.). 365D 90.14
The great leaders of religious thought in this generation sound the praises and build the monuments of those who planted the seed of truth centuries ago. Do not many turn from this work to trample down the growth springing from the same seed today? The old cry is repeated, “We know that God spake unto Moses; as for this fellow [Christ in the messenger He sends], we know not from whence he is.” John 9:29. As in earlier ages, the special truths for this time are found, not with the ecclesiastical authorities, but with men and women who are not too learned or too wise to believe the word of God. 365D 90.15
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are” (1 Corinthians 1:26-28); “that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5). 365D 90.16
And in this last generation the parable of the mustard seed is to reach a signal and triumphant fulfillment. The little seed will become a tree. The last message of warning and mercy is to go to “every nation and kindred and tongue” (Revelation 14:6-14), “to take out of them a people for His name” (Acts 15:14; Revelation 18:1). And the earth shall be lightened with His glory. 365D 90.17