Wednesday 15 August, 2018

24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” 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.”

Jesus again teaches about what “the kingdom of heaven is like…” and this time uses both seeds and yeast. The Kingdom of heaven is the place where heaven rules, God rules.

What stands out for me in these verses, is that the kingdom always increases, it always grows.

1 seed produces much grain or even a tree. A small amount of yeast impacts the whole loaf of bread.

God is establishing his rule in his people, in you and me. There are times when his rule in my life is obvious, but there are also times when it is not. But it is growing. I wish it was instant, or that God would just take over all my life at once, but he doesn’t do it that way. His rule happens, as I surrender more of my life to him.

There are times when the surrender is easy and quick, but there are also times when the surrender is more reluctant than willing. But the kingdom of heaven is always growing, that much never changes. I just need to trust the process, I need to trust the farmer, I just need to trust God.

Father, thank you that your kingdom is at work in me and through me and around me. Help me to yield all my life to you alone.

Written by Andrew Martin