Matthew 13:31-33 English Standard Version
The Mustard Seed and the Leaven
31 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. 32 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.”
33 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.”
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
Jesus loved to use stories to illustrate profound, life-transforming concepts.
He loved to use real and genuine settings, characters, and ideas that apply to all of us to reveal God’s heart of pursuit and love.
Today we’re going to spend time allowing the parables of Jesus to speak directly to our situations, mindsets, and core beliefs about who our God and neighbor is.
It is now time sit still and to open your heart and mind to be transformed by the powerful and captivating stories of Jesus, the profound truths of His Kingdom.
Matthew 13:31-32 Amplified Bible
The Mustard Seed
31 He gave them another parable [to consider], saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; 32 and of all the seeds [planted in the region] it is the smallest, but when it has grown it is the largest of the garden herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air find shelter in its branches.”
Jesus tells a beautiful parable of the kingdom of God in Matthew 12:31-32.
He teaches, “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.”
Trees are beautiful pictures of God’s ability to take what we view as weak or insignificant, a seed, and make a magnificent and life-giving creation out of it.
And Genesis 1:10-12 reveals how trees can be viewed as pictures of the very kingdom of their Creator.
Genesis 1:10-12 Amplified Bible
10 God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas; and God saw that this was good (pleasing, useful) and He affirmed and sustained it. 11 So God said, “Let the earth sprout [tender] [a]vegetation, [b] plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit according to (limited to, consistent with) their kind, whose seed is in them upon the earth”; and it was so. 12 The earth sprouted and abundantly produced vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, according to their kind; and God saw that it was good and He affirmed and sustained it.
It’s remarkable that God would begin his kingdom small and grow it by his faithful stewardship into a good and beautiful and life-giving creation.
God took the seed of the death of one man, Jesus, to create a beautiful tree of salvation for all of humanity.
John 3:17 says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Our heavenly Father’s wrath over our sin poured out on Jesus allowed God to free the rest of us from eternal condemnation.
And through the seed of Jesus’ death, planted into the ground, sprouting by His care, God has been creating a powerful and eternal global movement, bringing all people unto a restored relationship with himself across thousands of years.
Just as the mustard seed grows large enough to become a tree in which birds make their home, the kingdom of God has transferred our citizenship to a new home with him.
Philippians 3:20 says, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 3:20-21 Amplified Bible
20 But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself, will [not only] transform [but completely refashion] our earthly bodies so that they will be like His glorious resurrected body.
John 15:19 says, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
John 15:19-20 Amplified Bible
19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love [you as] its own and would treat you with affection. But you are not of the world [you no longer belong to it], but I have chosen you out of the world. And because of this the world hates you. 20 Remember [and continue to remember] that I told you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
The kingdom of God established through Christ has rescued us from this world, the Kingdom has saved us from slavery to this world and ransomed us back into restored relationship with our heavenly Father, to be sustained by God’s grace.
Not only does the parable describe the incredible expanse of God’s kingdom from a few to many, it can also illustrate the seed of salvation planted within each of us that God intends to grow into a beautiful and fruit-bearing tree.
Luke 17:21 says, “The kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”
Luke 17:20-21 Amplified Bible
20 Now having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He replied, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed or with a visible display; 21 nor will people say, ‘Look! Here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For the kingdom of God is among you [because of My presence].”
God’s kingdom is not built of brick and mortar, but of human hearts.
And 1 Peter 2:2 commands us, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.”
1 Peter 2:1-3 Amplified Bible
As Newborn Babes
2 So put aside every trace of malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander and hateful speech; 2 like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment], 3 if in fact you have [already] tasted [a]the goodness and gracious kindness of the Lord.
God’s desire is to water the seed of salvation he’s planted in us with the Spirit and the word. He longs to mold and shape us into the likeness of Jesus, that we might live lives that bear incredible life-giving fruit.
Hosea 14:4-7 illustrates God’s heart beautifully when it says,
“I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon; his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon. They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.”
God wants to constantly steward this gift of salvation in each of us, as he does with the global advancement of his kingdom, that we might bear the wonderful fruit of the Spirit in every area of our lives.
And God is so patient with us.
The earth illustrates his patience.
Trees grow year after year, season to season by his faithful stewardship.
Flowers never begin as beautiful as they are in full bloom.
The earth is constantly undergoing abundant transformation as God’s creation grows and changes.
You and I are no different.
God’s plan has always been to mold us into beautiful pictures of his love.
He’s always longed to fashion us until we walk in full, restored relationship with him.
And by the life and death of Christ, he’s paved the way for his desires to come to fruition.
All that’s left?
Is for us to engage fully in this wonderful process he’s created for us.
Engage in the growth he longs to birth in you by spending time in his presence and his word.
Allow his gaze to transform you into his likeness.
Live in obedience to the word, and allow it to lead you to an un-conformed life in this world.
Follow the guidance of the Spirit as he brings healing to your heart and fruit in your life.
Be a Positive Kingdom Influence
Matthew 13:33 Amplified Bible
The Leaven
33 He told them another parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like [a]leaven, which a woman took and worked into three [b]measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”
Jesus invites us to imagine the amazing properties of a little bit of yeast; it can make dough rise so it bakes wonderful bread flavored in many diverse ways.
Like yeast, only a small expression of the kingdom of Jesus Christ in our lives can make an incredible impact on the lives and culture of people around us.
Christ-followers have a choice. We can withdraw and live separate lives from our surrounding communities. Or we can choose to influence and bless those communities by encouraging values and behaviors of justice, mercy, and peace.
Yeast is at first not very noticeable and even works in the dark.
And the word in our verse that says yeast is “mixed into” can also mean “hidden in.”
Our best influence is often through quiet actions of service and love by which we are not drawing attention to ourselves.
We each probably know of several new churches that have begun in many dark places such as prisons. As they quietly gather for worship and bring people into the presence of Jesus, positive influences spread out through the prison system, transforming behaviors, systems, and the dangerous culture of the entire place.
Even in this current culture of affiliation and disaffiliation, hot button, highly controversial, highly confrontational issues, highly opinionated, highly divisive polarizing and hurtful issues, it’s still possible, even desirable for Godly growth.
Yeast has a purpose of interacting with dough.
The Word of God has a way of interacting with the hearts and souls of mankind.
Prayer has a way of interacting with the hearts, minds and souls of mankind.
Hebrews 4:12-16 Amplified Bible
12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged [a]sword, penetrating as far as the division of the [b]soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account.
14 Inasmuch then as we [believers] have a great High Priest who has [already ascended and] passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him as Savior]. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. 16 Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].
We have a purpose of living out the values of the kingdom of Jesus Christ as we interact with the people, institutions, and communities where we are. By the power of the Holy Spirit we can all have amazing influence for the glory of God.
Never give up on interacting with God, the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, because God Father, Son, Spirit, never gives up on interacting with you.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Spend time in prayer allowing God to work in your hearts and souls today.
Guided Prayer:
1. Meditate on God’s desire to grow the seed of salvation he’s planted within you.
“I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon; his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon. They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.” Hosea 14:4-7
2. Where do you need growth in your own life?
Where do you need to bear more fruit?
3. Ask the Spirit to fill you anew today.
Be filled with the presence of God and allow his love to mold and shape you into his likeness.
Ask the Spirit to guide you into areas in where he wants to grow you today.
Find Scripture that pertains to those areas in which you need growth and live in obedience to God’s word.
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18-19
How great is God’s love for us that he doesn’t leave us where we are but is always transforming us!
In the blink of an eye, God sees who we’ve been, who we are, who we will be.
He knows your form, how he’s created you, and what you were born to do.
The more time you spend allowing him to transform you, the more you will understand yourself.
May you discover and engage with all that your heavenly Father wants to do in you through his love today.
Lord, thank you for your generosity. While we offer you our service, you offer us life. You can use us to meet the needs of others around us. Grow us as you will. Amen.
Psalm 16 New American Standard Bible 1995
The Lord the Psalmist’s Portion in Life and Deliverer in Death.
A [a]Mikhtam of David.
16 Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You.
2 [b]I said to the Lord, “You are [c]my Lord;
I have no good besides You.”
3 As for the [d]saints who are in the earth,
[e]They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.
4 The [f]sorrows of those who have [g]bartered for another god will be multiplied;
I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
Nor will I take their names upon my lips.
5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You support my lot.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.
7 I will bless the Lord who has counseled me;
Indeed, my [h]mind instructs me in the night.
8 I have set the Lord continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.
10 For You will not abandon my soul to [i]Sheol;
Nor will You [j]allow Your [k]Holy One to [l]undergo decay.
11 You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 