THE MUSTARD FLAVORED PARABLE
MATTHEW 13:31-35
[This sermon will use actaul mustard teach the parable. A way for every listener to taste mustard is needed. Or not. That’s up to you.]
INTRODUCTION... Reflections On Mustard
Mustard is one of the oldest condiments in the world (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustard). Did you know that? They have found mustard in Egyptian tombs and it is included in old stories from India as well. Prepared mustard is a thick condiment, a yellow or yellow-brown paste with a sharp taste that is prepared from the ground mustard seeds, by mixing them with water, vinegar or other liquids, and adding ingredients such as flour. A strong mustard can cause the eyes to water, burn the palate and inflame the nasal passages. For this reason, mustard is an acquired taste. The Romans most likely developed the prepared mustards we know today. They mixed unfermented grape juice, known as "must" with ground seeds (called sinapis) to form "mustum ardens", or "burning must".
What do we look for when tasting mustard (www.globalgourmet.com/food /egg/egg0796/musttast.html)? Although taste is largely subjective, there are certain objective criteria to consider when evaluating the condiment. The mustard should be entirely pleasant. It should be somewhat acidic, but not overly so, and it should not be too salty. Its flavors should be well-balanced, with no single element dominating. If it is sweet, sugar should not be the predominant taste, merely an element of the whole. The texture should be smooth or, in the case of coarse-grain mustard, pleasantly grainy, not gritty or hard. It should have a fairly thick consistency, so that it easily holds its own shape on a spoon, but it should not be so thick as to be cloying or tongue-coating. Mustard should not taste floury, musty, or metallic, nor should it taste or smell eggy. Even if it is hot, it should not burn the tongue. Mustard always should have a pleasant aftertaste, a harmonious finish on the palate as the flavors fade together. If it vaporizes so that your eyes water and forehead sweats but you are eager for more, consider yourself lucky and be sure to write down the name of that mustard.
I want us to taste this mustard. I hope that I have enough for everyone to get a taste of what mustard is like. You may like mustard. If you are like me, you would rather eat rocks, but, it is an aquired taste. There are several things that I would like to point out about mustard.
PASS OUT MUSTARD AND HAVE THEM TASTE
First, the immediate taste of mustard is quite noticeable. The taste of mustard is strong and powerful, is it not? Some of you probably smelled the mustard as you entered the sanctuary today and wondered why you smelled that particular odor. There are very few seconds from the time you put mustard in your mouth until your brain registers exactly what it is. Mustard is quite noticeable.
Second, I would also say that the taste of mustard is unique. There is nothing quite like mustard. I realize that there are different types of mustard from all around the world, but msutard is a unique flavoring. You could probably describe a dish made with mustard to someone half-way across the world and they would understand how it would taste. Mustard is unique.
Third, the taste of mustard permeates anything that it is added to. You may have a chicken meal or perhaps a deli sandwich that tastes a certain way, but when you add the mustard, what does it taste like? It tastes like the mustard. The flavor of the mustard takes over whatever it is added to. You could have a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich and add mustard and the sandwich would taste like mustard. I know, gross. Mustard permeates everyting.
Fourth, the taste of mustard is memorable. I remember those meals that were made with mustard. Mustard crusted chicken, mustard glazed pork, and so on. I remeber those meals and I do not have a fondness when I think of them. Of course, I do not like mustard. Those of you who love mustard would have enjoyed those meals. But, the important thing is that I remeber them because mustard is memorable.
Why all this talk about mustard? Let’s read.
READ MATTHEW 13:31-35
Jesus speaks to the people in parables (verse 34). What is a parable? A parable is a short story or narrative that has two levels of meaning. A parable is a simile and an example and a metaphor all at the same time. Jesus did not invent parables, but used them when teaching and especially used them when He spoke about the Kingdom of God (IVP, Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, pgs 591-594). Jesus was trying to relay complicated spiritual matters in a way that anyone could understand them if they wanted to. The Apostle Matthew includes an Old Testament quote from Psalms that speaks of utterances and parables and hidden truths. Jesus taught the people spiritual truths and did so by using story and imagery.
The two parables that we read in verses 31-35 are two small parables that speak about the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven was promised in the Old Testament and was was ushered into existence with the birth of Jesus (Matthew 3:2, 4:17). The Kingdom of Heaven is near to us now because of the sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross and the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Kingdom of Heaven is also in the future and is promised to all who believe. When Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven, He is speaking about God and Christianity and Heaven and Judgement. All of those things are part of God and what He has in store for us.
Many people wonder and have questions. What God is like? What is Heaven like? If I become a Christian, what will it be like? What will the judgement be like? Jesus taught about all of these things and He used parables to do so. As I look and pour over these two parables, I see in them that they describe for us what the Kingdom of Heaven will be like in our lives. These two short narratives describe what I can expect from my faith in Jesus Christ.
I. THE FIRST PARABLE (VERSES 31-32)
The first small parable that Jesus tells involves the mustard seed. The mustard seed, for Jesus, was the smallest seed that He could think of. It was tiny. Jesus tells us that a man takes this small seed and plants it in a field. The seed, when it grows, becomes a mighty tree and is so big that even birds can perch in its branches. For some reason I think of an acorn when I hear what Jesus is thinking. A huge massive strong oak tree comes from a little tiny acorn.
Small things can often become big. A day full of small annoyances and stresses can become a terrible no good very bad day if they pile up on you. Brushing your teeth seems like a small thing, but if you do not so this small thing day after day, your teeth and your mouth are in big trouble. My kids love the Clifford books and the television show. If you have a younger child or grandchild, then you know all about Clifford. Clifford is a big red dog, but he did not start out that way. In fact, Clifford was the runt of the litter. His owner, Emily Elizabeth, loved Clifford so much that he grew and grew and is the size of a two story house. That’s a big dog. Small things can often become big and strong.
ILLUSTRATION... Planting Seeds
Some time ago "Reader’s Digest" told the story about a company who mailed out some special advertising business post cards with a mustard seed glued to it with the following caption that went something like this: "If you have faith as small as this mustard seed in our (particular product), you are guaranteed to get excellent results and be totally satisfied." -- Signed, The Management
A few months later one recipient of this promotional piece wrote back to the company and said, "You will be very interested to know that I planted the mustard you sent on your advertising card and it has grown into a very healthy bush producing wonderful tomatoes!"
II. THE SECOND PARABLE (VERSE 33)
The second small parable that Jesus tells involves yeast. These two parables are related because they are describing the same thing. The reason Jesus uses yeast is explained right in the parable. Yeast works best when it is worked into all the dough. The bread will turn out best if care is taken when kneading the dough. The whole lum is affected when yeast is added and it changes the bread mixture from a flat unleavened bread to a huge loaf.
ILLUSTRATION... I Love Lucy (by Russell Brownworth)
In the 1950’s comedy classic "I Love Lucy," one episode dealt with Lucy’s lack of cooking skills. She had no clue how much yeast to use. She kept dumping it in…one box, two, three. She left the bread in the refrigerator for a while as she talked on the phone. When she returned the kitchen was filled with bread!
ILLUSTRATION... Gary North Quote
"The kingdom of God is like leaven. Christianity is the yeast, and it has a leavening effect on pagan, satanic cultures around it. It permeates the whole culture, causing it to rise. The bread which is produced by this leaven is the preferred bread. In ancient times – indeed, right up until the advent of late-nineteenth century industrialism and modern agricultural methods – leavened bread was considered the staff of life, the symbol of God’s sustaining hand. ‘Give us this day our daily bread,’ Christians have prayed for centuries, and they have eaten leavened bread at their tables. So did the ancient Hebrews. The kingdom of God is the force that produces the fine quality bread which all men seek. The symbolism should be obvious: Christianity makes life a joy for godly men. It provides men with the very best."
III. THE MEANING AND APPLICATION FOR US
I believe that these two parables together teach us much about our faith and how we should live it out. Jesus is teaching us all about faith and its characteristics. Jesus is teaching about how we should look if we are people of faith. These might sound familiar because Jesus has likened the Kingdom of Heaven to mustard and to yeast. Therefore, the characteristics of each help us understand.
First, like mustard and yeast, the presence of faith in Jesus Christ should be quite noticeable. I do not believe that one can be a Christian in secret. True faith is something that is noticeable by the people around you. You should speak different and act different and hold different values. Spending five minutes with you should be enough for them to judge whether or not you are a Christian or a church-goer or a person of faith. Your faith should not be hidden from those around you. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Netiher do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house" (verses 14-15).
Second, like mustard and yeast, the effect of faith in Jesus Christ is unique. I say that because the plan of God and the plan of salvation depends upon one thing... and that is Jesus Christ. Jesus brings us grace and peace and forgiveness. Only through Him can we be saved (John 14:6). Only Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world. Only through the resurrected Jesus as Savior and Lord do we have hope (Acts 2:36).
Third, like mustard and yeast, faith in Jesus Christ should permeate the entire life of a person. The nature of mustard and yeast is that it fills whatever it enters. Christianity is like that. No part of our lives can be separated from our faith. Our faith instructs us on how to live in every situation. God wants all of who we are sumbitted to Him in faith and reverence. Our faith should touch all parts of our lives and mold all attitudes.
Fourth, like mustard and yeast, the message of Jesus Christ is memorable. The message of Jesus Christ is a simple message and one that children can remember. It is not a difficult message to communicate to someone who has never heard about Christ. The story is contained in the Bible for people to read. It is a story that has not changed and will not change. The memorable story of Jesus is a love story about a God who sent His one and only Son into the world to save it (John 3:16-17). That is a memorable story.
CONCLUSION
