DEVOTION
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING
TO LUKE
GROWING UP
Luke 13:18-19
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 of the air perched in its
branches."
NIV
A parable is not something to
take lightly, and there is a deeper meaning than just considering what a mustard
seed grows to become, which is what the scholars of old focus on without wanting
to consider how that applies both to the kingdom of God and the people. Of
course, a mustard seed, although one of the smallest seeds can grow into a tree
large enough for a bird of the air to perch on its branches. However, this is
what happens to the kingdom of God. Even though the Jews know about God, they have
been focused on living under the law and knew nothing about the kingdom of God.
Jesus introduced the good news about the kingdom of God to them. This was a new
idea and it needed to take root in the hearts and minds of the people. However,
once the kingdom of God did take root within them, it grew larger and
larger until many could find a place to rest, or should we say find rest for their
souls. This is how the kingdom of God grows within a new convert. When we first
came to Jesus Christ, accepting him as our Lord and Savior, the fact is we know
nothing about the kingdom of God. We were just excited to find eternal life and
the forgiveness of all our sins. There was a release from the heavy burden we
were carrying through life. Of course, this may only apply to those of us who
came to Jesus as adults, after living a life of sin. Those who grew up in a Christian
home or atmosphere might have some knowledge about the kingdom of God or
learned about it as they grew up in the church. However, we still think that no
matter how we became aware of the kingdom of God, our knowledge is as little as
that mustard seed. But it grew and grew within us and with the aid of the Spirit,
we grew into this big tree so that other people could find a place to find rest
for their souls. That is because of the kingdom that took root in our lives, others
could see the result of the kingdom of God within us and want that same kind of
life. Although a mustard tree may not bear fruit, like a normal fruit tree
would, the kingdom of God within a person as it grows within him does bear the
fruit of the Spirit which others can come and enjoy. They can find comfort in
our love, joy patience, goodness, gentleness, peace, and self-control. They can
taste, in a sense, and see how good the Lord is, or how they too can find rest
for their soul within the kingdom of God. It is all about how the kingdom of God
grows within us and what we become, or should we say it is about growing up.
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