Luke 13:18-35
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”
The Parable of the Yeast
20 And again he said, “To what should I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”
The Narrow Door
22 Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then in reply he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. 29 Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God.30 Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
The Lament over Jerusalem
31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33 Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
What Does the Passage say?
Jesus is teaching in the towns of Galilee in northern Israel (verses 18-30). He compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed, yeast in flour and a narrow door.
Each of these illustrations is used to show how the kingdom will spread, first within a person and then throughout the world. The narrow door is representative of Jesus himself, who must be accepted as Lord. Those who are first, the Jews and those who are presumed to have God’s favor in this world, will find others taking their place in the Kingdom.
The passage ends (verses 31-35) with the Pharisees warning Jesus to flee from Herod. Jesus proclaims that only in Jerusalem are the great prophets killed even though they were trying to help the Jews understand their true mission. In verse 32, Jesus meaning is that once the time for his sacrifice for all the sin of the world has come, nothing Herod can do will stop it.
What Does it Mean to Me/ Us?
In the parables of the Kingdom featuring the grain of mustard seed and the yeast, Jesus is teaching a similar lesson. Once set in motion, the Kingdom of God cannot be contained! Through seemingly small and insignificant actions, faithfulness and obedience in the Holy Spirit will produce great things! A small seed of faith produces a great tree of faithfulness nurturing many! A small measure of yeast (the Holy Spirit) will change the nature of a large sack of flour (disciples)!
Jesus uses the parable of the narrow door to answer a question about who will be accepted into the kingdom. The Jews, the “first”, presume their acceptance, but Jesus counters that they can only be admitted through the narrow door…Jesus. Even more, those who are unwilling to go through the narrow door of accepting Jesus will find that other nations and peoples will take their place! For us today, our family lineage, our wealth, our offerings to the church, or our “good” living, cannot bring us into the Kingdom of God. We must walk through the narrow door of Jesus Christ, one by one.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You have called us to walk through the narrow door of obedient faith into abundant life in Your Kingdom. May the yeast and seeds of your Spirit grow in me so that it spills over to the people around me in marvelous ways, that your will be done. Strengthen me to welcome in faith all those people from the north, south, east and west, who are seeking Your grace to turn their lives in a new direction leading to Your kingdom. Amen
*Contributed by Larry Dickenson
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