What Jesus Did : Matthew 13:31-32 - From Small Beginnings
by Phil Ware
From Small Beginnings - Matthew 13:31-32
Then Jesus told the people another story: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. A person plants that seed in his field. That seed is one of the smallest of all seeds. But when the seed grows, it is one of the largest garden plants. It becomes a tree, big enough for the birds to come and make nests in its branches." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
From the selection of King David, God's people had been warned not to judge on mere appearances. We shouldn't be surprised if Jesus' Kingdom would start small and insignificant based on outward appearances. Yet living nearly 2000 years later, we can see how these small, inauspicious beginnings have been transformed into a powerful, world changing movement. When Jesus said, "The first will be last and the last will be first," he was right. What began in a stable now influences the world. What ended in death now offers life to all. We are part of a mustard seed people because our God is the only true and mighty Lord.
Today's Prayer
Master and Creator of the universe, thank you that your work does not depend upon my power. I offer myself and my meager resources to do your work in the world. But Father, I realize that the power to do this work, the resources to accomplish the tasks, and the time necessary to complete your ministry must all come from you. Today God, I confess to you my weaknesses and my sins, knowing that all that your power needs to work in our world is a willing heart and an available vessel. Please use me today to do your work. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Then Jesus used another story to teach them. Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a man that planted good seed in his field. That night, all the people were asleep. The man's enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat. Then the enemy went away. Later, the wheat grew and heads of grain grew on the wheat plants. But at the same time the weeds also grew. Then the man's servants came to him and said, 'You planted good seed in your field. Where did the weeds come from?' "The man answered, 'An enemy planted weeds.' "The servants asked, 'Do you want us to go pull the weeds?' "The man answered, 'No, because when you pull up the weeds, you might also pull up the wheat. Let the weeds and the wheat grow together until the harvest time. At the harvest time I will tell the workers this: First gather the weeds and tie them together to be burned. Then gather the wheat and bring it to my barn.'" Then Jesus told the people another story: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. A person plants that seed in his field. That seed is one of the smallest of all seeds. But when the seed grows, it is one of the largest garden plants. It becomes a tree, big enough for the birds to come and make nests in its branches." Then Jesus told the people another story: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman mixes into a big bowl of flour to make bread. The yeast makes all the dough (bread) rise." Jesus used stories to tell all these things to the people. Jesus always used stories to teach the people. This is the same as what the prophet said: "I will speak using stories; I will tell things that have been secrets since the world was made." Then Jesus left the people and went into the house. His followers came to him and said, "Explain to us the meaning of the story about the weeds in the field." Jesus answered, "The person that planted the good seed in the field is the Son of Man. The field is the world. The good seed are all of God's children in the kingdom. The weeds arethose people that belong to the Evil One (the devil). And the enemy that planted the bad seed is the devil. The harvest time is the end of the world. And the workers that gather are God's angels. "The weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire. It will be the same at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and his angels will find the people that cause sin and all people that do evil. The angels will take those people out of his kingdom. The angels will throw those people into the place of fire. In that place the people will be crying and grinding their teeth {with pain}. Then the good people will shine like the sun. They will be in the kingdom of their Father. You people that hear me, listen!-- Matthew 13:24-43 (ERV)
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