Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 13 :18-30 "WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD LIKE?" Luke 13:18"
Day 176 – Luke 13
Text: Luke 13 :18-30
“WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD LIKE?” Luke 13:18
The key message Jesus proclaimed was “The Kingdom of God”. When His Disciples were sent out to preach, they were told to preach,
“The Kingdom of God has come near you.”
Luke 10: 11
The Disciples were taught that when they pray, they must remember the Kingdom,
“Your kingdom come…”
Luke 11:2
Jesus had insisted that proof that the Kingdom of God had come might be adduced from the way He cast out demons (Luke 11:20). He was the Living Proof that the Kingdom of God had come with power. He triumphed over the demonic kingdom again and again, releasing the imperiled victims and introducing them into the Kingdom of God.
Sadly, many had not understood His message of the Kingdom of God. Once again, Jesus sought to teach the people what the Kingdom was like.
Did the people think that it was too lofty a concept to comprehend? They must know better. The Kingdom of God had lofty dimensions that were deep and complex. However, the Kingdom of God also had dimensions that were simple enough for anyone to comprehend, if he but tried to comprehend it.
“IT IS LIKE A MUSTARD SEED” Luke 13:19
Jesus interestingly compared the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed. The Kingdom of God is of course NOT a mustard seed. It is only compared to a mustard seed, a common vegetable plant that could be planted in a humble garden.
What could Jesus mean by that? Why did He compare the Kingdom of God to a humble mustard seed? Why did He not speak of the Kingdom of God in lofty terms, filled with great metaphors?
It had been a long time since Israel was a kingdom. The “golden reign” seemed so far away, when David and Solomon ruled a united kingdom. Subsequently, the united monarchy was split into two. The history of the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel was all but glorious.
Jesus refused to use the earthly kingdom of Israel as the basis of comparison for the Kingdom that He proclaimed. Obviously, He was trying to teach the multitudes that they must expect a “new” kind of kingdom.
The Kingdom that Jesus proclaimed began in a very humble way. It began with the preaching of the Gospel. That surely is the humblest beginning a Kingdom is proclaimed! There is no fanfare. There is only the earnest preaching of the Word of God. It seemed so common… like “a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden” (Luke 13:19).
“AND IT GREW AND BECAME A LARGE TREE” Luke 13:19
The mustard seed may be a humble vegetable plant. However, it was capable of growing so tall, it may even look like a ” large tree” (Luke 13:19). That surely was an apt description of the mustard seed that Jesus had begun planting. It had grown into a large tree. He began with a small band of believers. He was now thronged by great multitudes.
“AND THE BIRDS OF THE AIR NESTED IN ITS BRANCHES” Luke 13:19
The ministry of Jesus had flourished. The seed that He had planted had now grown into a large tree. He was aware that many “birds of the air nested in its branches”. He gave no affirmation as to who these “birds of the air” who flocked to roost in its branches.
Did the multitudes understand the Kingdom of God that Jesus spoke about? Could they see the difference between the Kingdom of God that He proclaimed, and the earthly kingdom that Israel’s ancient kings reigned over?
Did they need proof that Jesus’ Kingdom was valid and truly approved by God? “Growth” would surely be a good indicator that the Kingdom that Jesus proclaimed was alive and well. Did the birds of the air that had made their nests find safety in the mustard “tree”? Surely they would be added “proof” of the worth of the Kingdom of God that Jesus preached?
“AND AGAIN HE SAID, TO WHAT SHALL I LIKEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD? IT IS LIKE LEAVEN…” Luke 13:20,21
Again, Jesus used a humble analogy to describe the glorious Kingdom of God! He compared it to “leaven”. How could Jesus liken the Kingdom of Heaven to leaven? Yet, He did! Leaven played an important role in the making of bread. It was the substance that made the dough to rise. It’s role was invisible to the naked eye, but its presence could not be denied.
This was a “strange” way of teaching about the kingdom of God indeed. Why did Jesus use such an analogy to describe the Kingdom of God? Why did He not speak of “angels”, “the glory of God”, “the hosts of heaven” etc. to describe the kingdom of God. These could have been used just as easily. But no, Jesus chose to speak of the kingdom of heaven in the humblest way possible.
ONLY THE HUMBLE WOULD RECOGNIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WHAT JESUS TAUGHT
Jesus sought to teach the multitudes how they may appreciate the Kingdom of God. Many of the people who flocked to hear Him came from a very poor background. There were also the rich and powerful Scribes and Pharisees who surrounded Him. However, the latter came, not because they wanted to enter the Kingdom of God, but because they wanted to find fault with Him.
The preaching of a Kingdom in such humble tones would put off the proud and the rich. Anyone who wanted to enter into the Kingdom of God must have the required humility before they can enter therein. How do you understand and appreciate the Kingdom of God?