Word@Work Luke221 - Luke 13:18-19
Published: Wed, 10/27/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
GOD'S LIMITLESS HORIZON
Luke 13:18-19 Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches." (NIV)
The religious people-controllers, who took every opportunity to criticise Jesus, had very low horizons - themselves, their position and what people thought of them. Their objective was to stop Jesus upsetting their carefully worked out power hierarchy so that their authority could dominate religious life once again. The Lord Jesus was so different. They wanted to bind people to rules, but He wanted to win them to a relationship with God. His purpose was to include them in His kingdom which was going to be far bigger than the rabbis could imagine - it would be populated by believing Jews and those from every people-group in the world.
By using the analogy of the mustard seed, Jesus identified a well known tiny seed which had the potential to become a huge tree. He said that was a picture of the Kingdom of God. He was, of course, pointing to Himself ... a small living seed which must die in the ground but which would germinate to form a huge tree which would welcome whoever wanted to rest in its branches.
That prophecy is still being worked out. Over a third of the current world population believes in Jesus the Saviour. They are from every kind of ethnic background, language, religious tradition and cultural lifestyle. Wherever persecution is most severe, that is where the church grows strongest. Whenever Jesus is forbidden, people want Him more; and wherever He is announced people are saved. It may take time, but it takes time for a small seed to grow into a tree; however, the end result is certain. So take courage, do not be ashamed of the gospel, the church, the Bible or the Saviour: because everybody who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved!
Prayer: Sovereign God. Thank You that Your purposes can never be defeated. Thank You that the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe. Please forgive me when I have had such low horizons, hardly daring to believe that Your Kingdom will grow where I live and work. Help me to be greatly encouraged today that I will be among that great company of Your people in heaven one day. So may I not be ashamed of You and may I learn to trust You more and more, like my brothers and sisters who are suffering for their faith even now. Fill me with Your Spirit and enable me to live confidently as a follower of Jesus Christ. In His Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
The religious people-controllers, who took every opportunity to criticise Jesus, had very low horizons - themselves, their position and what people thought of them. Their objective was to stop Jesus upsetting their carefully worked out power hierarchy so that their authority could dominate religious life once again. The Lord Jesus was so different. They wanted to bind people to rules, but He wanted to win them to a relationship with God. His purpose was to include them in His kingdom which was going to be far bigger than the rabbis could imagine - it would be populated by believing Jews and those from every people-group in the world.
By using the analogy of the mustard seed, Jesus identified a well known tiny seed which had the potential to become a huge tree. He said that was a picture of the Kingdom of God. He was, of course, pointing to Himself ... a small living seed which must die in the ground but which would germinate to form a huge tree which would welcome whoever wanted to rest in its branches.
That prophecy is still being worked out. Over a third of the current world population believes in Jesus the Saviour. They are from every kind of ethnic background, language, religious tradition and cultural lifestyle. Wherever persecution is most severe, that is where the church grows strongest. Whenever Jesus is forbidden, people want Him more; and wherever He is announced people are saved. It may take time, but it takes time for a small seed to grow into a tree; however, the end result is certain. So take courage, do not be ashamed of the gospel, the church, the Bible or the Saviour: because everybody who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved!
Prayer: Sovereign God. Thank You that Your purposes can never be defeated. Thank You that the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe. Please forgive me when I have had such low horizons, hardly daring to believe that Your Kingdom will grow where I live and work. Help me to be greatly encouraged today that I will be among that great company of Your people in heaven one day. So may I not be ashamed of You and may I learn to trust You more and more, like my brothers and sisters who are suffering for their faith even now. Fill me with Your Spirit and enable me to live confidently as a follower of Jesus Christ. In His Name. Amen.
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