Why a Mustard Seed??

I've posted about this previously, but I thought I'd write on it again here today!

I've always been intrigued by the verse in Matt. 17:20 which says, "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."

I've often asked myself, "Why does Jesus use the illustration of a mustard seed? Why didn’t He say an "apple seed" or a "tomato seed" or any other small tiny seed? What is so special about a mustard seed?"

Well, although I should have known this from growing up on a farm, I decided to do a little research on mustard seeds.

Here’s a few interesting statistics on the mustard seed:

•  Mustard is one of the oldest known spices - dating back over 3,000 years old. 
•  A common mustard seed is only about one millimeter in diameter, but it grows into a small tree!
•  A butter bean is about 400 times bigger than a mustard seed but yields only a small bush!
•  The more common mustard plants are perennial, growing back year after year and developing deep root systems each season.
• You can pull the mustard out, but roots will break and grow back to a new plant.
•  The plant spreads out covering more and more territory.
•  The plant is hardy and difficult to get rid of if you want it to go away.
• It grows best in hot climates and doesn't need watering.
• The mustard seed oil itself has been used in the past for a variety of ailments including: relief from tooth aches, muscular aches, as an emetic, for bruises, stings, bites, respiratory troubles, and to help stimulate circulation etc.

Wow! This gives some new perspective, doesn’t it? What if we had faith as a grain of mustard seed? Faith like a weed, that would not stop growing, even if we were repeatedly pulled up, and even if no one watered or fed us, even if the furnace of affliction was hot and prolonged. What if we had faith like the mustard seed that would hold on for healing, for hope, to soothe the weary, to stimulate the weak, to help those who are struggling to spiritually breath? What if we had faith that would hold on, no matter the trial, claiming and conquering more and more land for the Kingdom of God? Imagine the mountains that would be moved, the victories that would be overcome!

The Desire of Ages tells us, “Though the grain of mustard seed is so small, it contains that same mysterious life principle which produces growth in the loftiest tree. When the mustard seed is cast into the ground, the tiny germ lays hold of every element that God has provided for its nutriment, and it speedily develops a sturdy growth. If you have faith like this, you will lay hold upon God’s Word, and upon all the helpful agencies He has appointed. Thus your faith will strengthen, and will bring to your aid the power of heaven. The obstacles that are piled by Satan across your path, though apparently as insurmountable as the eternal hills, shall disappear before the demand of faith. “Nothing shall be impossible unto you.”[i]

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[i] Desire of Ages, p. 431 (Italics added)