PARABLES - WEEK FOUR - DAY ONE
Hello and welcome to your Daily Devos, following our Parables series at 29:11!
Take some time today to read through the provided scriptures, meditate on the lessons we’ve learned this week, and journal your prayers. Have an amazing week, 29:11 Church!
THEME SCRIPTURE:
Parable of the Mustard Seed
31 Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”
33 Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”
- Matthew 13:31-33 NLT
TODAY’S PASSAGE:
32 “It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”
- Matthew 13:32 NLT
REFLECTION:
The parables of the mustard seed and the yeast go together because both seem to speak of the growth and influence of God’s kingdom. The theme between the two seems to be that it’s the small things that make the biggest difference! The parable of the mustard seed depicts the small beginning of God’s kingdom. Though it was a small beginning in perspective to the whole world, Jesus and his 12 committed disciples' initial impact is still influencing the world and growing the Kingdom today. It can be so easy to look at the church and/or our faith and think, “Oh that’s just a small part of my life.” But what Jesus is trying to teach us is that the SEED actually has great potential in our lives and in our world! It’s one of the smallest seeds. That small seed, BECOMES the largest tree in the GARDEN! — Mustard trees can grow up to be 30 feet tall! Why is that growth important? Just so the church can be BIGGER? No! Growth in the church, the KINGDOM of GOD, and in our WORLD has a purpose!
Matthew 13:32 tells us that “It grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” It’s easy to read this just be like, that’s a cute detail, but Jesus is saying that the seed is like a mustard seed. When planted it makes a place FOR EVERYONE! Not just for the religious elite (if there was such a thing) but for ALL of us - for you, and me, FOR EVERYONE.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER:
How do you view the Kingdom of God in your life? Do you see it as just a small part of your life or do you see it as the thing that will make the biggest difference, impact, and opportunity for not just you, but everyone else around you? I want to challenge you today to take some time and really ask Jesus to remind you of the impact and importance of his church and his Kingdom at work in your life. Then take time to pray and ask God to use this mustard seed in your life to grow, branch out, and create a big impact in your family, workplace, school, and friendships.
