Mark 4:30 Then Jesus said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? 31 It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 32 but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”

Here are some things to note about mustard trees.  They are one of the fastest-growing garden trees there is.  They can grow to a height of 30ft and spread their branches just as wide.

In other words, they are the kind of tree that can spring up and mature in a surprisingly small amount of time.  They are self-reproducing too.  They do not require bees and other animals to pollinate, but they do take advantage of such opportunities.

Their seed is only 2mm in diameter.  So it is a tiny seed at that.

The idea of a mustard seed tree is that it becomes an invasive species once established.  It towers above all the other herbs in a garden.

It is not by chance that Jesus chose this particular plant to give an example of what the Kingdom of God is like.  When the kingdom of God is at work, it spreads, grows, reproduces, and becomes invasive.  It rises above and can be easily seen among all the other endeavors.  In other words, it is not hidden from view; it is not stagnating and lifeless and provides a haven.

On another occasion, the disciples of Jesus could not cast out a demon, and they asked Jesus why.

Matthew 17:20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.

This coincides with Jesus’ example of the kingdom in that the idea of nothing being impossible would be in tandem with a fast-growing reproducing idea to the kingdom that is invasive and towers enough to be seen easily.

It only takes a little faith to do the impossible, cast out demons, move mountains, etc.  Jesus did not mince words with His disciples in this matter.  Because of their unbelief, they failed to exercise the authority they had been given.  This is proven by the fact that had they had faith that was tiny, even a little faith; they could have done the impossible.

The evidence of the kingdom is in full view wherever faith is alive.  Wherever there is faith, there is kingdom activity.  Dead religion can exist on intellectual satisfaction but cannot produce the evidence of the kingdom, which makes the impossible possible.  You can realize you can’t argue against something because it is true without it being of faith.

2 plus 2 equals 4.  No one will argue that.  But it doesn’t produce in everyone who agrees they could be a math expert and do amazing things.  Jesus has brought possibility and opportunity into a place of existence unlike anything the human race has ever witnessed.  The only way to experience what He offers is through faith in Him.  Sometimes we first have to acknowledge our unbelief issue, as did the disciples, before we step into real faith.  Real faith is not ours by a mere confession of it.  It is ours through revelation from the Holy Spirit.  I encourage you to ask Him to reveal what you need to see and believe most in your journey.