Matthew 13:31-33 (ESV)
He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”
“Do not despise small beginnings.” These are the words of God as captured for us in Zechariah 4:10. In many ways, this phrase is expanded by the two parables that Jesus gives to illustrate what the Kingdom of heaven is like. In the first parable, he likens it to a grain of mustard seed that is small but grows to become a big tree. In the second parable, he likens it to leaven that works itself in dough until it is all leavened. In both these parables, the Kingdom of God seems insignificant and unimpressive at first glance but with time, the results are there for all to see.
This is the nature of the Christian faith, or if you like the Kingdom of God – seemingly unimpressive, insignificant, unattractive even. However, we must not let worldly ideologies of what greatness is cause us to lose sight of the Kingdom. The church of Christ might not look all that, but it is God’s choice for the spread of the Gospel and subsequent salvation of mankind. The individual Christian might appear weak and even foolish sometimes, but they are chosen of God. The preaching of the Gospel might not seem like the best presentation method, but it is the means that Christ has chosen for His message to be proclaimed. Though this may be what things look like at first, one will never be able to tell what greatness will be revealed in due time. In the words of the apostle John, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2.
Reflections
1. What has been your view before about the Kingdom of God?
2. How has this devotion changed your perception of greatness?
3. In view of the above parable, how then should you live and lead your life?
