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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

More Than!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Believer, I know that the religious world has its share of overstatement, hyperbole, exaggeration, and sometimes even fraud. So beware of the..."
Don't Miss My Invitation
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"My Dear Disciple, Listen to My words for you today. They come out of the crucible of My conflict with the religious leaders and their humiliation..."
Be Used by God
Article by Tom Norvell
What can God do through you? God uses ordinary people to do his amazing work.

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."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, August 28, 2023

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
John 17:15
"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God's Power Over Death for Us!' (1 Co. 6:14)
"By his power God has raised the Lord from the dead and will also raise us from the dead."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Amazed!' (Acts 12:16-17)
"[After Rhoda left Peter outside at Mary's house in her excitement at seeing him, he] continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Don't Take Your Spirit Away' (Ps. 51:11)
"Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me."

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.

More What Jesus Did!