Jesus’ words on the way
Pray
Begin with prayer, opening your heart to His Word and Spirit.
Read Matthew 13:31-35
31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[a] of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:
“I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”[b]
Reflect
So far, our journey has highlighted Jesus’ ministry in action: healing diseases, driving out demons and showing power over nature. This week we will experience a sample from Jesus’ teaching ministry that is particularly illustrative of the Kingdom. Today Jesus tells the parable of the mustard seed and the yeast, both being small and seemingly insignificant. Both grow slowly and eventually, one becomes a commanding protective presence and the other a powerful change agent. We end our week with Jesus telling his disciples about his upcoming arrest, trial, death and resurrection as they head steadfastly toward Jerusalem.
Closing prayer
Father, we thank you for the promise revealed in these short parables. May our eyes be open to see the signs of your Kingdom in our world today. Amen