Hypocrites in Church? Jesus Explains: The Parable of the Mustard Seed

The Parable of the Mustard Seed, found in Matthew 13:31-32, offers interesting insights into the nature Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

Jesus illustrates in this parable that the hypocrisy within the Church stems from the modern, human-crafted institutional framework that has deviated from its original design. God has clearly stated that He does not dwell in buildings made by human hands, as evidenced by Acts 7:48: “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands,” and echoed in Acts 17:24: “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.” The early church, unlike today’s structured institutions, was a fluid and organic assembly of believers who met informally in homes and were shepherded by non-salaried leaders; theirs was a community rooted in genuine faith and fellowship rather than hierarchical rigidity.

Institutional Hypocrisy

The institutional structure, characterized by hierarchical governance, salaried clergy, elaborate rituals, and a focus on maintaining traditions and authority, diverges from the Biblical model, which emphasizes a community of believers who are united in faith, accountable to each other, and led by the Holy Spirit. While the Biblical model of the church prioritizes simplicity, fellowship, and mutual edification, the institutional structure fosters an environment where outward appearances and power dynamics overshadow genuine faith and spiritual growth. This shift away from the essence of what the church is meant to be, as depicted in the New Testament, has led to the entrenchment of hypocrisy and a loss of true Christian witness.

The Mustard Seed: Botanical and Symbolic Characteristics

The mustard tree (Salvadora persica) is an evergreen shrub known for its remarkable growth. Under optimal conditions, it can reach heights of up to 20 feet and spread nearly as wide. The mustard seed, which is tiny and seemingly insignificant, grows into something vast and all-encompassing. Depending on the variety and growing conditions, mustard trees can be as short as 6 feet or as tall as 30 feet. The leaves of the mustard tree start out dark green and turn yellowish-green as the tree ages, with a regular leaf measuring about 3 inches long and 1 inch wide.

Expositional Constancy and the Birds

The parables of Jesus are rich with symbolic meaning, and it is important to interpret these symbols in alignment with His own explanations. In the Parable of the Mustard Seed, Jesus describes the growth of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth from the smallest seed into a tree where “the birds of the air come and nest in its branches” (Matthew 13:32). To comprehend this, we must recall Jesus’ earlier interpretation of birds in the parable of the sower: “the birds came and ate them up” symbolizing “the evil one [who] comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart” (Matthew 13:4, 19). According to the Parable of the Mustard Seed, birds represent satanic activity infiltrating the Kingdom.

Many preachers, however, shy away from this interpretation, simply because it casts a negative light on their ministries. Instead, they prefer to view the birds in these parables as Gentile believers or converts from all nations flocking into the Church. Yet, a consistent theme throughout Scripture portrays birds as symbols of evil. In Joseph’s interpretation of the prisoner’s dream involving birds, he foretold, “Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and impale your body on a pole, and the birds will eat away your flesh” (Genesis 40:19). Similarly, in Revelation, unclean birds symbolize a haven for demonic spirits: “And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, ‘Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird’” (Revelation 18:2). Additionally, in Ezekiel, birds are mentioned alongside evil spirits that feast on the fallen in times of judgment (Ezekiel 39:4-5). These scriptural insights affirm that the interpretation of birds as symbols of demonic  forces aligns with Jesus’ teachings and should caution us to vigilantly guard our faith against subtle infiltrations of evil.

Chuck Smith, in his commentary on the Parable of the Mustard Seed, discusses the concept of expositional constancy:

“In expositional constancy, what are the birds? They are the ones, the evil ones, who came and plucked up the seed so it could not take root, could not grow. From this expositional constancy birds are always used in a bad sense in your analogies or in your comparisons. So inasmuch as in the previous parable He pointed out, that there were gonna be tares that are going to be growing along with the wheat in the kingdom, He is only further illustrating the same thing, as the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, but somehow it has abnormal growth. It grew bigger than what it really is intended to be.”

Smith’s interpretation puts emphasis on the fact that in Biblical typology, birds symbolize evil forces or entities. This perspective aligns with the Parable of the Sower, where birds represent Satan or demonic forces that snatch away the seed (the word of God) from people’s hearts (Mark 4:15). Thus, the birds in the Parable of the Mustard Seed should be interpreted as symbolizing demonic influences infiltrating the Kingdom of God.

Abnormal Growth and the Institutional Church

This unusual growth of the institutional church, represented by the mustard seed that turns into a tree large enough to provide shelter for birds, is a departure from the norm. The Roman Catholic Church, with its extensive hierarchy and emphasis on tradition, and various Protestant denominations that become overly focused on institutional maintenance rather than genuine faith and adherence to Scripture, illustrate how the institutional church deviates from its original biblical foundations.

This abnormal growth of the institutional church is man-made, driven by unbiblical means that churches employ to increase their numbers. These methods include prioritizing entertainment over true worship, leveraging prosperity gospel teachings that promise material wealth in exchange for faith, employing aggressive marketing tactics that mirror commercial enterprises rather than spiritual outreach, and promoting a culture of celebrity pastors that shifts the focus from Christ to charismatic leaders. These practices diverge significantly from the humble and genuine fellowship of the early church, creating an environment where numerical growth often overshadows spiritual depth.

Here are five aspects of megachurches and large Christian organizations that are contrary to Biblical teachings:

1. Excessive Focus on Size and Spectacle: Many megachurches prioritize numerical growth and grandiose presentations over genuine spiritual growth. Jeff Vines, a pastor at Christ’s Church of the Valley in California, noted the irony of large church attendance without deep, authentic faith: “If you go to the South, everyone goes to church. That doesn’t mean that their faith is real or deep; it just means that they go to church. We are a Christianised country. We have a great Christian foundation, and it continues to serve us.”
2. Commercialization of Worship: Modern megachurches operate more like businesses, focusing on marketing and public relations rather than scriptural teachings. The result is an entertainment-driven model that lacks depth and discipleship, as Vines further acknowledges: “The reality is, we megachurches don’t do discipleship well. And it’s because of the time and energy we spend on the big event every weekend. And the money we spend, it’s astronomical. It’s probably beyond what people even think that we do.”
3. Neglect of Personal Discipleship: The focus on large congregations and impressive events leads to a neglect of personal discipleship and community. The modern megachurch prioritizes attracting and retaining members through marketing strategies and entertainment rather than focusing on fostering spiritual growth and maturity. This consumeristic approach leads to a shallow faith experience. Vines, along with other pastors, believes that future church growth should prioritize smaller, more intimate gatherings: “There is a movement within the last five or ten years, where megachurch pastors are really taking a good internal look and saying, ‘Do we have just a lot of people coming? Or are we truly discipling people?’”
4. Lack of Accountability: Scandals such as the recent allegations against Pastor Robert Morris and the late Ravi Zacharias highlight the dangers of unchecked power and influence within large church organizations. The presence of predatory individuals within the church thrives in environments lacking accountability and transparency.
5. Neglect of Small Groups and Community: The future of the church lies in smaller, more intimate gatherings where genuine community and discipleship can thrive. The emphasis on large-scale events and programs alienates individuals seeking authentic relationships and spiritual growth.

In light of the four points above, we can now understand how the birds in the parable of the Mustard Seed come in. Drawing from Jesus’ explanation of the Parable of the Sower, we infer that the birds mentioned in the Parable of the Mustard Seed also represent demonic forces. Just as birds came and plucked the seed in the Parable of the Sower, so too do they come and nest in the abnormal growth of the mustard seed. This allegorical depiction of birds as demonic forces highlights the spiritual battle that surrounds the growth of the Kingdom of God. The birds of the air, representing predatory individuals and demonic forces, nest and thrive within the institutional church where proper measures of accountability and transparency are largely missing.

As I write this, the internet is abuzz with the sexual assault scandal carried out by Robert Morris, head pastor of Gateway Church, the biggest church in America with over 100,000 members spread across multiple campuses. His years-long mistreatment of a twelve-year-old child is the source of the charges. Morris started sexually abusing Cindy Clemishire when she was barely 12 years old and he was 21. Morris first referred to the actions as “kissing and petting” instead of sexual activity, but in reality, it was criminal sexual abuse. Morris has resigned from his role at Gateway Church, where he also acted as a spiritual advisor to former President Donald Trump, in response to public uproar. According to reports, the abuse took place in the 1980s. Cindy Clemishire courageously came forward with her experience, bringing attention to this unsettling circumstance.

Unchecked power and influence within the church creates an environment where various forms of abuse and corruption thrive. When accountability is absent, it paves the way for sexual predators and financial scammers to exploit the trust and vulnerabilities of congregants. This lack of oversight also attracts narcissistic leaders who prioritize personal gain over spiritual guidance, using their positions to manipulate and control their followers. Moreover, it facilitates the entrance of false teachers who distort doctrine for their own benefit, leading believers astray and undermining the integrity of the church community. In essence, without proper checks and balances, the church becomes a breeding ground for individuals who seek to exploit faith for personal or nefarious purposes.

Conclusion

The Parable of the Mustard Seed offers great insights into the nature of the Kingdom of God and the growth of the Church. When applied to the institutional church, this parable serves as a caution against unchecked growth, consumerism, and corruption. As followers of Christ, we must strive for genuine discipleship, accountability, and adherence to Biblical teachings in order to build a Church that truly reflects the heart of God. Let us remain vigilant against the birds of the air that seek to infiltrate and corrupt the church and uphold the values of integrity, humility, and love in all our endeavours.