Day 68

Luke 13:18–21 (NIV)

¹⁸ Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? 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, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.” 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 a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

What is the point Jesus is making about the kingdom of God?

How does Jesus apply to the parables He tells?

Notes

This appears to be part of Jesus conversation in the synagogue so the two need to be understood together.

The Kingdom of God isn't about limiting God and burdening people. (like the synagogue ruler's view of God) It is about God expanding out to us and bringing purpose and place to belong in our lives.

The first parable talks about a mustard seed which was the smallest seed used in planting becoming big enough for birds to nest in it. (the black mustard plant could grow up to 10ft tall)

The second parable talks about a little yeast able to cause bread to rise . It is worked in the dough and without being perceived changes the whole dough. (The amount of dough mentioned was enough for about 150 people)

In both parables Jesus is saying what may seem to start out small will become huge. It will change everything.

The leaders may discount Jesus and try to get rid of Him. But they cannot destroy the work of God. It will become the ingredient that invades all. This world will one day come under complete control of God's kingdom. (Remember "Your Kingdom come" Luke 11:2)

The beginning of God's kingdom starts with Jesus. It will one day reach through the whole world. It will be the way things are judged, providing a place for those who follow the Kingdom.