Making NestsMatt 13:31-32

Matt 13:31-32

31He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; 32it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and

make nests in its branches.”

Famous parableGrowth recipe

Smallest seed

Grows to large tree

Your church, though small, can grow with God’s help and a pinch of faith

Famous Parable

The purpose

We miss the “so that”

Matt 13:31-32

31He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; 32it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree.”

Matt 13:31-32

31He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; 32it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and

make nests in its branches.”

The problemDecorative-plate-fallacyGrowth is a means,

not an endThe tree grows to provide nesting roomThis is not as much a parable about impressive growth as it is about an unlikely sanctuary.

BreakdownKingdom of Heaven

Kingdom of God

A people ruled by a king

A people ruled by God

Mustard seed

BreakdownMustard seed

Is underestimated

Is unimpressive

Seems insignificant

Becomes valuable tree

BreakdownThe birds

Not us

People outside the kingdom

Immigrants to the kingdom

BreakdownThe nest

Safety

Rest

Nourishment

Growth

BreakdownThe nest

Uncommon word

Acts 2:25-26

For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope.

BreakdownThe nest

Tabernacle

Tent/temple in the desert

John 1:1-5, 14

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him

was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5The

light shines in the darkness,

John 1:1-5, 14

and the darkness did not overcome it. 14And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

BreakdownThe nest

Tabernacle

Jesus tabernacled=nested

He provided safety, rest, nourishment, and growth

Matt 23:37

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

RelationTree:Nest::Church:Jesus

How do the tree and nest relate to one another?

Tree provides support, materials, food, & moreTree is an extension of the nest

SummaryKingdom = people ruled by God

Mustard seed/plant = Kingdom

Birds = coming to God

Nest = way and source of life

Summary

A people ruled by God may look small,

insignificant, and useless, but after God makes them grow they

become a highly valuable resource and home to many others.