Mustard Seed
18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” 20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.” Luke 13:18-21
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The Mustard Seed
The Kingdom of God seems so insignificant to the eyes of the world. Like the extremely small mustard seed is lost to the world, so also the Church seems insignificant to the ways of the world. But Jesus wants us to know that what is seemingly insignificant is really great. The small seed—the smallest of all the seeds—becomes the largest of the trees in the garden. The little bit of yeast works its way through all the flour and makes the whole loaf of bread rise. The seemingly little things of the Church are huge in the life of the Christian. Outside the city walls in an obscure Roman province some 2000 years ago a man died. It looked like any other Roman execution, but this man was the Son of God. This man took the weight of the whole world’s sin upon himself and then destroyed death by rising again. A little splash of water combined with God’s Word connects us to that Jesus—his death and his resurrection—just a little water and yet so great a work for us. The Spirit does not need great and awe-inspiring signs to create faith. He does so with the Word preached and the sacraments given. Thanks be to God that he has done such a great thing for us. Our reward will be great in heaven.
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The Mustard Seed
The Kingdom of God seems so insignificant to the eyes of the world. Like the extremely small mustard seed is lost to the world, so also the Church seems insignificant to the ways of the world. But Jesus wants us to know that what is seemingly insignificant is really great. The small seed—the smallest of all the seeds—becomes the largest of the trees in the garden. The little bit of yeast works its way through all the flour and makes the whole loaf of bread rise. The seemingly little things of the Church are huge in the life of the Christian. Outside the city walls in an obscure Roman province some 2000 years ago a man died. It looked like any other Roman execution, but this man was the Son of God. This man took the weight of the whole world’s sin upon himself and then destroyed death by rising again. A little splash of water combined with God’s Word connects us to that Jesus—his death and his resurrection—just a little water and yet so great a work for us. The Spirit does not need great and awe-inspiring signs to create faith. He does so with the Word preached and the sacraments given. Thanks be to God that he has done such a great thing for us. Our reward will be great in heaven.
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March
Strive for PeaceNo Fire For YouMount ZionAn Unshakable KingdomA Kingdom That Cannot Be ShakenBrotherly Love in ChristConfidence in ChristSteadfast in ChristOutside the CampSacrifices of PraiseJoyful Obedience in ChristPray for Your PastorsEquipped by the Blood of ChristEncouragement in ChristGrace Be With You AllGod’s Sovereign HandFaithful in a Foreign LandFaithful in the Small ThingsTrusting GodWisdom from AboveEarthly Wisdom Fails, But Christ ReignsTrue Wisdom and the CrossThe Wisdom of Man FailsConfidence in God's MercyGod of Mercy and MightA Deliverer Sent by GodNo Wisdom but ChristThe Kingdom That EnduresThe Rock That Stands ForeverEarthly Kingdoms CrumbleThe Kingdom That Stands Forever