LESSON VII.—NOVEMBER 16.—THE MUSTARD SEED. OTHER LESSONS.
NOTE.—In the preparation of these lessons all Scripture references, and the pages of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” should be thoroughly studied first, then the questions. The questions are not the lessons. They are only for the purpose of finding out what we have observed while studying. More of the preciousness of these lessons will be obtained if the lesson is studied each day throughout the week. In the parables of Jesus there is salvation from sin for every type of sinner—from the Pharisee to the prodigal. The notes are wholly selected from such portions of “Christ’s Object Lessons” as apply to each lesson.
30 “And He said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or 31 in what parable shall we set it forth? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown upon the earth, tho 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.”
11. But according to the parables thus far studied, how will the subjects of this kingdom be made ready?
12. What makes less noise than the growth of a seed?
13. How does this compare with political strife and the contending of armies?
14. Which attracts the more attention in the world? Which is enduring, and which is not? Dan. 2:44; 7:27.
15. Can one have the spirit of both these kingdoms at the same time?
16. Can the methods of both be followed by any one? To which do you and I belong?
NOTES.
The Jews looked for the kingdom of God to be established in the same way as the kingdoms of the world. To promote righteousness they resorted to external measures. They devised methods and plans. But Christ implants a principle. By implanting truth and righteousness He counterworks error and sin.
Not only is the growth of Christ’s kingdom illustrated by the parable of the mustard seed, but in every stage of its growth the experience represented in the parable is repeated.
At the outset its advocates are few. By the great men of the world, and by a world-conforming church, they are opposed and despised.
In this last generation the parable of the mustard seed is to reach a signal and triumphant fulfilment. The little seed will become a tree.
Every seed that sends up its green blade to the sunlight declares the wonder-working power of that word uttered by Him who “spake, and it was;” who “commanded, and it stood fast.”
In everything that tends to the sustenance of man is seen the concurrence of divine and human effort. There can be no reaping unless the human hand acts its part in the sowing of the seed.
