Thursday, April 9

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

Deuteronomy 33:1–29

Luke 13:1–21

Psalm 78:65–72

Proverbs 12:25

 

 

“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 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 about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.’”

 

 

In these two brief parables, Jesus indicates some significant truths about the Kingdom of God.  While interpreters have promoted several views on these two brief items, my study suggests that these verses, taken together, speak about the outward-reaching and inward-renewing nature of the Kingdom.  Both these sides of the Kingdom nature emerge from our call to live intentionally as disciples and to make disciples.

 

In the parable of the mustard seed, Jesus explains that the Kingdom begins small.  Despite its infinitesimal size, the mustard seed transformed into a great tree.  Likewise, starting with the seed of the Gospel, the Kingdom would expand from this small band of 12 disciples to reach the whole world.  The “braches” of the mustard tree even had “birds perched in its branches.”  These branches may represent the offshoots into new places or among new people-groups.  The Gospel would create a natural multiplication, starting with a humble group of fishermen.  Please recall the Sanhedrin’s observations at seeing the disciples’ boldness in Acts 4:13:  “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”  Their commitment to the Kingdom and the filling of the Holy Spirit would carry the mission well beyond Jerusalem (Acts 1:8).

 

The parable of the yeast speaks about the inward-renewing nature of the Kingdom.  The yeast “worked all through the dough,” changing its character and allowing it to rise when heated.  In a sense, the yeast activates the dough and brings forth its true purpose.  Whenever we mix flour, water, and other ingredients, chemical reactions take place to bring forth the flavor from otherwise inert and bland components.  In the same way, the Gospel and Christ living in us serves as yeast, transforming our hearts and characters for God’s purposes.  After we initially receive Christ, the Gospel life begins reworking and reflavoring the “dough” of our lives.  I find the promise of Philippians 1:6 quite encouraging regarding this ongoing process:  “… [I am] confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

 

How have you seen the Gospel life in you and through you impacting your inner growth and the outward growth of His Kingdom?  How may you celebrate the change that He is bringing about?  How have you seen the power of the Gospel life?  How may you become more committed to both the inward and outward working of the Gospel?

 

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for establishing Your Kingdom and allowing us to participate in it.  Thank You that You are transforming our hearts and conforming our wills according to Your purposes.  We would like to walk more closely with You and to better reflect Your lovingkindness.  Thank You for giving us a role within the advancement of the Kingdom and to allow us to witness the branching out of the mustard tree.  Give us insight into how to participate actively in this Kingdom advancement through the power of the Holy Spirit.  We love You.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

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