on May 22, 2014
Luke 13:18-21 – Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.” Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
The kingdom of God is quite different from what most might expect. It functions and grows differently than any other government or rule of law. So, what might we liken it to? Now, you might expect that God’s kingdom would make a dramatic appearance and very quickly attain perfection, but that would be a mistake! Jesus says that the kingdom of God may be compared to a mustard seed. A mustard seed is such a little thing, takes up very little space, is not a very imposing presence, and is quite unassuming, yet when planted in the right soil, it grows to become a very significant tree!
Many people start out prejudiced against the gospel and absolutely loathe the idea of submission and obedience to it. It’s easy for them to say of Jesus, “Can this man, said to have been born in a stable to poor parents 2,000 years ago, save us?” “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” And about His gospel and the Scriptures they question, “How can an outdated script like the Bible provide anything worthy or needful for me in this modern era?” The mustard seed illustration has potential to remove this prejudice. It assures us that, though its beginning is humble and small, it is destined to become something very substantial and beneficial. Many will find security and dwelling in the safety of its branches! They will find that the kingdom of God and of His Christ, provides everything we need for life and godliness! They will find truth and grace, peace with their Creator, salvation and purpose for life! We ALL may find security and sustenance for life, both for in THIS WORLD and the ONE TO COME!
Some have thought that God’s kingdom would appear by subduing nations and defeating armies. But our Lord gives a second illustration that likens it to YEAST that works silently, without force or violence. It doesn’t advance externally, but advances INTERNALLY! The truth claims of Christ will mysteriously seep into and saturate our world, the hearts and minds of people and ultimately – entirely transform those who receive it. The message of the kingdom and the preaching of the Gospel must be presented and given time to do its wonders WITHIN the souls of men and women, boys and girls. You see, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ! When the Word gets INSIDE of you, it will begin to work like yeast! It will eventually saturate and transform your entire being with the truth of God’s kingdom! You will recognize that no other truth claims measure up! No other answers may satisfy our hearts and minds as completely as the ones found in the kingdom of God! When this happens, you will experience the freedom to do the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, for the right reason – without anyone telling you or forcing to do it!
Thursday: Meet together with at least 1 or 2 other believers to enter the Throne Room of Grace.
Friday: Pray for the families of the week: Christina Greisch (Derek, Alisha), Ryan & Sara Hackett, Matt & Becky Hakes (Stevie, Lydia).
Saturday: Pray for those who will be teaching and preaching in churches this Lord’s Day.
Sunday: Attend the House of Worship, ready to HEAR God’s Word and put it into practice.
Monday: Give thanks that God’s kingdom is like a mustard seed and like yeast.
Tuesday: Allow God’s Word to saturate your entire person as you meditate on it!
Wednesday: Share the Good News of God’s kingdom with others – give them a chance for transformation and eternal life!
Prayer Challenge – But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” – Romans 10:8-15