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The Mustard Seed: Growing God's Way - Johnny Unger

Sep 6, 2026  •  Johnny Unger

Jesus’ picture of a mustard seed comes against Israel’s big expectations. The people expected a Messiah like Samson or Gideon, somebody ready to raise an army, fight Rome, and take back the land. Jesus came as the promised King, but not in the way they expected. His kingdom was not an earthly kingdom built through weapons and military power. His kingdom was spiritual, led by love and truth.


Luke places the mustard seed after Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath, and the religious leaders cannot understand what he is doing. The parable shows that their misunderstanding of the kingdom is behind so much of their resistance. Jesus does not take over kingdoms the way rulers normally do. Jesus plants a seed in individual hearts.


The mustard seed begins small, but it grows into a tree large enough for birds to make nests in its branches. Christ’s kingdom began with a few people hearing his words, yet it has outlasted kingdoms, militaries, and movements that once looked far more powerful. The gatherings of believers all over the world show that the seed is still growing. The tree becomes a place of shelter, nourishment, safety, and comfort for those who come near it.


The Spirit also begins small in most believers. Conversion may begin as a whisper that calls a person away from old sin or toward obedience that had been neglected. The apostles understood this kind of growth when they did not place every expectation of holiness on Gentile believers in a single day. The Spirit grows over time, touching every part of a person’s life and producing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.


The fig tree shows that weak growth does not mean dead hope. A tree that has dried up can begin again when it receives water and care. Christ gives that same hope to those whose spiritual lives feel shriveled, because as long as life remains, it is not too late to receive nourishment and grow closer to him.


The peach tree and fig tree also warn against comparison. God designed one tree to bring peaches and the other to bring figs. God designs each believer to grow and bring forth the fruit given to that person, not somebody else’s fruit. Prayer connects the heart to the Father like sunlight. Meditation on Scripture sinks roots deeper like water. Obedience and love become the fruit that shows a life is being nourished by God.