Memory Verse
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of
heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 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.” Matthew 13:31-32 (NIV)
Reflection
As I think about it, it makes sense that Jesus would refer to a mustard seed when describing what the kingdom of heaven was like. After all, the times I have most experienced the kingdom or perhaps been a means through which it has been extended to others are times when others or I have done something small and God has taken it and made it into something big. It's very similar to that mustard seed. Yes, I must plant it and perhaps occasionally water it, but God is the one who has put that special DNA into the seed such that, with the water and sunlight He also provides, it can grow to eventually provide shade for others.
On the eve of Christmas, it may never have been so clear how much the kingdom is like a mustard seed. The Savior of the world, the King of kings entered our world not with a rolled out red carpet, fanfare, or a 21-gun salute. He entered in the form of a baby, born to an exhausted couple whom most scorned in an occupied country. Just think how the world was changed through this little. apparently insignificant birth.
The same is true of our little, insignificant acts. If we will only obey ALL that He tells us to do, God can take our smallest of deeds and use them in great ways for extending more of the kingdom of heaven to earth. The more secret the deeds, the better. When we remain obedient, and others remain obedient, eventually we see our collective mustard seed acts move mountains. More on that in the next post.
On the eve of Christmas, it may never have been so clear how much the kingdom is like a mustard seed. The Savior of the world, the King of kings entered our world not with a rolled out red carpet, fanfare, or a 21-gun salute. He entered in the form of a baby, born to an exhausted couple whom most scorned in an occupied country. Just think how the world was changed through this little. apparently insignificant birth.
The same is true of our little, insignificant acts. If we will only obey ALL that He tells us to do, God can take our smallest of deeds and use them in great ways for extending more of the kingdom of heaven to earth. The more secret the deeds, the better. When we remain obedient, and others remain obedient, eventually we see our collective mustard seed acts move mountains. More on that in the next post.
Questions to Consider
1. What little "mustard seed" deed have you done that God has taken and turned into a significant means for you or others to experience more of the kingdom of heaven on earth?
2. When you consider how much God blessed the world through this baby Jesus, how much does God want to bless our current and future world through you if you will join Jesus in saying "not my will..." ?
Action Steps for the Week
1. Do at least one "mustard seed" act of kindness towards someone else and pray that God will take it and use it in significant ways in extending more of the kingdom of heaven to earth.
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