(1) THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED. (2) THE PARABLE OF THE LEAVEN WHICH LEAVENED THE MEAL

(1) Mark 4:30-32. (1) and (2) Luke 13:18-21

The ‘mystery’ or secret of the future contained in these two parables has reference to the growth of the Church; the first regards the growth in its external aspect, the second in its inner working.
The power that plants possess of absorbing within themselves, and assimilating the various elements of the soil in which they are planted, and the surrounding gases—not by one channel but by many—the conditions too under which this is done—the need of water, of the breath of heaven and of sunlight—find a close parallel in the history and influence of the Church of Christ. It is an instance where the thought of the illustration is deepened by fresh knowledge.

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Old Testament