He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain– first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.” With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
1. God’s kingdom is explosive. It can’t be contained. Do I want to be a part of this? Do you?
2. God’s kingdom is not a smorgasbord. We don’t get to choose what we like about it and what we don’t. It’s a package deal. God’s kingdom brings salvation, rule, mercy, and judgment. The sickle is as much a part of his kingdom as the mercy seat. Have I ignored certain aspects of the kingdom of God?
3. The kingdom of God is unstoppable. When I look at evil in the world, am I discouraged? Do I capitulate to the lies that we’re in a losing battle? Or do I join the kingdom work with kingdom prayer, “Thy will be done . . . “?
Friends, put on your kingdom eyes today and see the scattering, sprouting, growing, and harvesting that is going on all around you.
And sometimes I have, in God’s service, had to weed.
And weeding is best done kneeling, right Andrew? Just kidding!
🙂