Kingdom Seeds

Reading: Luke 13; Psalm 49 18 Then Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? 19 It is like a tiny mustard seed planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds come and find shelter among its branches.” 20 He also asked, “What else is the Kingdom of God like? 21 It is like yeast used by a woman making bread. Even though she used a large amount of flour, the yeast permeated every part of the dough.” (Luke 13:18-21 NLT) Jesus told two little story-ettes for the sole purpose of helping his hearers grasp the truth of God’s Kingdom Come (The here-and-now expression of the Kingdom, not the hereafter expression of the Kingdom. This is for now, not heaven by-and-by!).

First picture: The Kingdom of God is like a tiny seed—a mustard seed. When planted in receptive soil, it takes root and grows into a bush-like plant that’s big enough for birds to rest in. When the “Kingdom-of-God seed” takes root in my heart or yours, it grows and changes us. It fills an empty space. It creates a nurturing place, a refuge inside us. It does that. We simply are the receptive, hospitable soil of God’s garden. Second picture: The Kingdom of God is like yeast. When the woman mixes a tiny amount of yeast into a large amount of flour and adds in water and warmth, the yeast blossoms to life. It affects and impacts every particle of the flour and causes it to rise and become a tasty nourishing loaf of bread. We are like the yeast in the flour of our families and communities. The life in us flows into the community and lifts and lightens and blesses. The Kingdom of God is planted in the soil of our hearts by God’s Gospel and activated by our faith and the Holy Spirit. The Kingdom grows inside us. Then we are mixed into our communities and the Kingdom life in us influences and lifts all those around us. Prayer: Father, Please plant the Kingdom seed in our minds and hearts. May we allow it to take root, to occupy space in our whole beings. May we be mixed into the flour and dough of our families and communities and may the growing, expanding life of Christ in us permeate everyone and everything around us, lifting and nourishing and bringing life. Amen.