The Secret in the Mustard Seed, Part 2

I love how God’s teachings are layered, how the same story can hold more than one meaning or lesson, depending where we’re at on our journey.

In part 1 of The Secret in the Mustard Seed we talked about the Greek meaning of the word “as” that is used in the statement “as a grain of mustard seed”. Thayer’s lexicon of the Bible states that the Greek word for as, is probably comparative, which is the only way I’ve ever heard it used by leaders and teachers discussing it at church. The problem is, when you compare this tiny seed to faith it leaves people feeling like they don’t have enough faith–because if they did (they believe), even a minute amount would produce miracles!

In that article we explored a potentially different interpretation of that scripture? It turns out that further reading into the definitions for the word ‘as’ in the lexicon reveals that the word can also mean “in that manner”, “after”, or “according”. From that we get a reading of the scripture more like this: If ye have faith in that manner, or according to a mustard seed. . . nothing shall be impossible to you.  

That changes things.

Faith in the manner of or according to a mustard seed begs the questions: What kind of faith does a mustard seed have? Which opens us to the idea that a mustard seed knows exactly what it is to become. It follows its divine blueprint, without doubt or question. It simply grows into a tree.  We discussed this potential interpretation in the context of divine identity, worth and becoming.

Today, as we consider this interpretation further, we’ll make space to investigate that perhaps Jesus didn’t use the mustard seed to illustrate a size, or a “portion” of faith required to move mountains, but rather a quality of faith needed, and a process for acquiring it. Perhaps the comparison, if it was that at all, was simply to illustrate that small and simple things bring great things to pass. Again, not a declaration of amount, but more of a statement of potential.

Let’s look at an additional teaching of Jesus about the mustard seed in Mark 4:30-32.

“And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.”

Now we’re getting a better picture of what Jesus may have been trying to illustrate. What he’s showing us is process, and the qualities needed to develop the kind of faith that moves mountains. He wasn’t saying that when your faith is finally equivalent to the size of a mustard seed, “poof” miracles will happen. No, he is revealing a mystery through symbol about the process of growing, nurturing and manifesting faith. This is a line upon line process, not a sudden “arrival”.

Obedience to specific laws brings specific blessings, not just any blessing, or the random blessings we want—specific blessings. So, we need to be careful not to mistake random obedience as a precursor to receiving mountain-moving faith. Obedience can, and does, build faith, but it builds it according to the specific law you are being obedient to.

Faith, as a first principle of the gospel, should be studied and pondered and practiced more than any other principle. But faith in Christ should first be mastered before the jump to trying to move mountains–because it is by and through the power of Jesus Christ that mountains are moved. If faith in Christ hasn’t developed into a “tree”, then it is not ready to move mountains. Again, this is a process for us humans. Sometimes there are those who receive the gift of faith and produce miracles, but most of us have to build it over time.

So, let’s look closer at what Jesus may be teaching us about this mustard seed.

A seed is the very symbol of potential. It is filled with potential life for one plant, tree, flower, etc. But that one plant, tree, or flower holds within it the potential to produce hundreds of additional lives through its seed (potential). Jesus tells us that the mustard seed is the least of all seeds, indicating humility is a requirement for powerful faith. And that humility, as symbolized by the mustard seeds’ size, holds potential to grow into something great and useful. He taught this principle in many ways and at many times.

By this investigation into symbol, we see that humility and potential are part of the foundation for the kind of faith that moves mountains, and when we combine that with our discovery about divine identity, and knowing what we are to become, we get a better idea of what Jesus could have been teaching us as individuals. This takes the cultural discussion on quantity of faith and replaces it with something more Christ-like—quality.

Humility is the soil wherein godly attributes grow, so it makes sense that Jesus would illustrate mountain-moving faith with an object that personifies humility. It doesn’t make sense to me that he would use it to illustrate quantity. Quantity is measurable and often fixed– and we humans use it to make determinations about worthiness, progress, and all kinds of other things. Quantity converts what should be relational into checkboxes. To categorize powerful faith as a quantity is to turn something inherently relational and dynamic into something static and quantifiable.

Faith is not a quantitative assessment where we ask questions like: “Do I have enough faith?” “Am I doing enough?” “Have I reached the minimum standard?” And yet, that’s what we do (and express every week at church). And this is problematic. No wonder manifestations of faith feel illusive…

We have exchanged relationship for statistics.

Faith requires ongoing connection, trust, attention, presence, and responsiveness, it cannot be quantified without losing its essence.

In addition, a mustard seed cannot become what it’s meant to become without focused energy on the outcome. No goal or result is ever achieved without a significant amount of focus and energy pouring into it. Just like the mustard seed, faith is a process that grows over time and in accordance with the energy and focus we give to it.

So, now we have a beautiful picture—through Jesus’s own layered and symbolic words—on how to grow, or develop, powerful faith. We need to recognize our divine identity, believe our worth, be humble, and let our potential grow into what it’s meant to become with focus and energy. We let our faith in Christ grow and expand until it becomes useful, and eventually even miracle-producing.

Comparisons in scripture are meant to symbolically teach us theological truths. It requires mental work to get to the jewels. Fixating on interpretations that lead to frustration and shame are not helpful. God’s work isn’t about promoting frustration or shame. His words are all about elevating humanity to a higher plane of understanding. So, next time you get tripped up on a “truth” that’s been parroted by lay teachers and leaders your whole life, take a step back and ask: What else could Jesus have been trying to teach here? And what is he trying to teach me right now on my journey? There is always more than one interpretation and more than one layer to all scripture, but each of us must do the work of excavation.

For monthly embodiment practice and journal and creative prompts, sign up for the newsletter.

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for personal reflection and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for qualified professional medical, psychological, or spiritual advice. By engaging with the content in this podcast, through any source—in person or online—you are agreeing to the terms and conditions in our liability and release waivers. The links are posted in the show notes and on our website. All views expressed — including interpretations of scripture or spiritual practice — reflect the host’s personal experience and are not affiliated with any specific church or institution. Please take what resonates with your journey, and leave the rest with care.