PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED

WHO IS THE AUDIENCE?

• The disciples were the current audience
• Previously crowd of people were present

WHY SPEAK IN PARABLES?

• In verse 10 earlier in the chapter, the disciples ask Jesus why he speaks in parables.
• Jesus proceeds to give a string of parables to the bemusement of the disciples
• 13:10- "The disciples came to him and said, 'Why do you speak to the people in parables?"

AFTERMATH

• Even though the series of parables Jesus offers are powerful, impactful messages to be understood, the disciples ask for clarification later in the chapter (vs. 36)
• The answer Jesus gave was less than clarifying.

PARABLE TYPE

• 1-pt parable
• Characters: farmer (man), seed
• Farmer represents us, and the seed our faith. He says that the kingdom of is like the seed small when planted, but when it grows it is strong and plentiful.
• Luke 17:6 "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and plant in the sea," and it will obey you."

MAIN POINT

• Although faith begins small, allowing God to let it grow can allow it to be great as the grown tree.