Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 on biblegateway.com
Verse 31He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; Verse 32it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." Verse 33He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."
Verse 44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Verse 45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; Verse 46on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Verse 47"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; Verse 48when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. Verse 49So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous Verse 50and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Verse 51"Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." Verse 52And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."
Devotion
The Parable of the Mustard seed is the story of an extremely small seed sprouting to become a large bush where birds can build their nests. Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is like that. Who would have guessed looking at the seed? Think about it. Who would have predicted a small sect of believers in Jerusalem would grow into a large movement of faith that spread throughout the Roman Empire? It did. And it’s grown much larger. Today, followers of Jesus like us, continue to gather and worship around the world. We are members of one of the great world religions as seekers of God’s kingdom of heaven. This parable pictures birds of many kinds and colors, drawn into nesting among the branches of the large mustard bush. Jesus said that’s like the kingdom of heaven. Can you picture yourself in this parable? I believe we are in it.
Prayer
Lord God, your heavenly kingdom has come to us on earth. Believe it or not, together we live out our lives in your kingdom. When we are in doubt, help our unbelief. Amen.
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