Hidden growth
Opening Prayer
Father, give me Your perspective. Help me to see that the Kingdom of God is gaining ground.
Read LUKE 13:18–21
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[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 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 about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What are the characteristics of the kingdom?Many readers will live in parts of the world where the church is struggling or in decline. You may be the only Christian in your family, workplace or school. When we look at shrinking congregations and see church buildings being turned into shops or offices it’s easy to be discouraged. These verses give us a broader perspective. The kingdom describes the future which God has planned for his world when he will reign over everything. In Jesus the future has broken into the present and can be seen wherever people recognize Jesus as King. But there is something going on which we can’t see. Even in this confusing world God is at work. He is bringing about his purposes and establishing his kingdom through those yielded to his Kingship; the church is the forerunner and demonstration of the kingdom. One day we shall see just how big it is. Until then we can trust him to work things out. We can be encouraged by the fact that although we may be in a minority, although people may not understand and may make fun of us and our beliefs, we are part of God’s future.
Apply
Look out for someone you can encourage today with this vision of God’s plan for the world.
Closing prayer
God, just as dark cannot resist or overcome light, this world cannot resist or overcome Your advancing kingdom.
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