The kingdom of God in the hands of its King

“What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 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.” Luke 13:18-19

It can be hard to explain something that we cannot see. The kingdom of God… what is it like? We didn’t even have to ask Jesus - he answered our question before we knew to ask it.

And it wasn’t easy to explain. But the Son of God used many parables to try to explain what his kingdom was like. And this was one of the many illustrations he used – not a palace, not a mystical land, nor a selfish ruling – but a mustard seed.

1.The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed.

We all know that seeds are small and a mustard seed is likely one of the smallest.

But a seed has potential.

If it has all that it needs, it can flourish.

And Jesus came to establish his kingdom.

2. A seed that a man took and sowed in his garden.

When Jesus first began teaching the people, he said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1:15) He told his disciples, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” (Luke 4:43)

There’s no better place for the kingdom of God to be than in the hands of its King.

And Jesus sowed the seed (the kingdom of God) in his garden (among his creation)…

Jesus was directly asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come. And Jesus said that it wasn’t coming in a way that could be observed – but that it was in the midst of them (Luke 17:20-21).

He said those that would have the hardest time entering the kingdom would be the rich (Mark 10:25).

He said the kingdom belonged to those who would receive it like a little child (Mark 10:14).

He encouraged those who were not far from the kingdom of God, like when a scribe understood the meaning of the Law he was entrusted with by saying that loving God was better than sacrifices. (Mark 12:28-34)

He chastised those who thought the kingdom was just their inheritance, like when he told a parable about the murderous tenants of the vineyard and said, “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.” Matthew 21:43

Jesus made it clear. We can’t enter God’s kingdom if we think we have the right to be there.

We come humbly at his invitation. We come without our own so-called riches into his endless true riches. We come because we love him.

It would be enough if we could just be a doorkeeper in his kingdom (Psalm 84:10), receiving it like a child would. But instead he invites us as his Bride and to be an active part in growing his kingdom.

3.The seed grew and became like a tree, with birds of the air making nests in its branches.

What Jesus planted, the kingdom of God, grew.

When Jesus was resurrected, he appeared to his disciples during the forty days he stayed and continued to speak specifically about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). And the rest of the book of Acts shows just how God’s kingdom flourished.

And it defied the odds.

Because when Jesus died, it was a Pharisee and a rich man who buried him – Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea.

Nicodemus had talked to Jesus about seeing the kingdom of God and how the Pharisees knew Jesus had come from God (John 3:1-1). The last time we hear about him, it seems that he has chose the kingdom of God first.

Joseph of Arimathea was rich and a respected member of the council. But he was also called a disciple of Jesus (Matthew 27:57-59), one who was looking for the kingdom of God ( Luke 23:50-51).

It’s a beautiful bookend to what Jesus said when he said the hardest to enter the kingdom would be the rich: what’s impossible with man is possible with God (Mark 10:27).

The kingdom of God can’t be underestimated. Because it’s GOD’S kingdom.

It’s not of this world (John 18:36).

It’s completely unshakeable (Hebrews 12:28).

And it’s breathtakingly massive, with room for everyone.

So we seek first his kingdom. Everything else will be added to us. But our eyes are on the kingdom and the righteousness of the One to whom it belongs )(Matthew 6:33).

This verse is from the book of Luke, one of the gospels that tells us the beautiful story of Jesus – what he said, what he did, and the promises he fulfilled.

If you want a companion to study with, grab our Luke Bible study journal in our shop and enjoy the precious time of knowing God’s sweet words!

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