“WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD LIKE?”

Passage: Luke 13:18-21

Key verse: 18

NIV

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast(A)(B)

18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God(C) like?(D) What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree,(E) and the birds perched in its branches.”(F)

20 Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[a] of flour until it worked all through the dough.”(G)

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 13:21 Or about 27 kilograms
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Mustard Seed and the Leaven

18 (A)He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like (B)a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”

20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 (C)It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in (D)three measures of flour, until it was (E)all leavened.”

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Seeing joy and delight in the synagogue following the healing of the woman, Jesus reflects on the nature of the kingdom of God (18). Jesus first compares it to a mustard seed, which grows into a tree, providing perches for birds. Likewise, Jesus’ Messianic ministry started in despised Galilee. It seemed unlikely to become anything. But through the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church, Jesus’ kingdom has become the most influential in the world, and many have found rest and peace in it. We need to provide time and space for the kingdom to grow in our lives.

The second comparison is with yeast working through a large amount of dough. Like the seed, there is an unseen element to the spread of the yeast, but here the woman has to work its power into the whole dough. Likewise, the internal transformation of Christians through sanctification requires the working out of our salvation in fear and trembling (Php 2:13), allowing every corner of our lives to be changed by the power of the kingdom.

As we look at our lives and churches today, it is easy to be anxious about big changes, rather than to give thanks for the small things. Yet Jesus wants us to see the kingdom in small decisions, acts, and interactions, like planted seeds and worked yeast.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the power of your gospel. Help me appreciate small things today.

One Word: See the kingdom in small things