What Jesus Did! 'Little Us, Big Kingdom' — Luke 13:18-21

Monday, August 28, 2023

Then Jesus said, "What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches."

He also asked, "What else is the Kingdom of God like? It 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."

— Luke 13:18-21 NLT

Key Thought

The Kingdom isn't dependent upon human logic or predictability, but about God and his sovereign power and grace! God can take something small, someone others view as being insignificant, even a person who is broken, and do phenomenal things. A huge tree comes from a small seed. A whole loaf is leavened by just a touch of yeast. God asks us to offer him ourselves — not offer someone we would like to be or might someday be, but ourselves as we are now. If we will give ourselves, our all, we can be caught up into God's powerful and mysterious work of the Kingdom.

Today's Prayer

Father, Lord God Almighty, I offer you all that I am to serve you and bring glory to you. I long to be a part of your triumphant work of the Kingdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Corinthians 4:20
  • Matthew 6:33
  • 2 Corinthians 4:5-18

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 13:18-21 NLT — "What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.