Jesus spoke of many parables regarding the Kingdom. Jesus in His earthly mission inaugurates the Kingdom. As King He is the embodiment of it. In power He demonstrates it and in truth proclaims it. He breaks through fear bringing freedom and healing. Today let us look at the Kingdom as a mustard seed.
Matthew 13:31-32 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
In its beginnings the mustard seed is the least of seeds in size and stature. Yet when it’s destiny is fulfilled it becomes great in size and strength.
The Kingdom of Heaven, being a reality on earth started from the least of tribes. God chose a people small in stature and number to reveal Himself to the world. They chose to build their own kingdom, instead of living in the reality of His.
To Israel He said in Deuteronomy 7:6-8 “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
God does everything out of love. He loves all people equally. In ancient times to reveal His love He made a covenant promise to the forefathers of the tribes of Israel. He said to Abraham and to his descendants that He would make them a great nation. A blessing to all people, so that the world may know Him.
Israel’s destiny was to be a holy people. To be a light amongst the nations and as a result reveal His great love, truth and power to all people.
Jesus fulfils the destiny of Israel. He is the glory of Israel and the light of the world, revealing the love of the Father and what His kingdom looks like on earth.
In Jesus’ earthly ministry the Kingdom of Heaven had come on earth. God the Creator of heaven and earth and all things good became human, born of the Holy Spirit, came as a baby. He was from one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
He took on the form of a servant and began His ministry declaring the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. The establishment of God’s right to rule and reign on earth sets the captives free, bringing healing and transformation. This is the heart of the Father.
Luke reveals to us in the book of Acts that God’s Kingdom was the central topic of discussion between Christ and His apostles during the 40 days between His resurrection and ascension.
Acts 1:1-3 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
The realisation of the Kingdom on earth started with Jesus. He imparted everything into the 11 disciples.
Luke 24:33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,
They are His witnesses to proclaim three key points. 1: It was necessary for Jesus to suffer and rise from the dead. 2: Why? So that people can change their thinking and open up their hearts to receive deliverance from all offences against God and each other and 3: Receive Jesus as their savour and King.
To receive the King is the only pathway of entry. Apart from Him it is impossible to enter into His Kingdom. Reject the king and reject His kingdom. The two are one.
Salvation is only available through faith in Jesus Christ.
Once entered into His kingdom ruling and reigning within begins. The daily journey of letting it take root and go deep into the spirit, intellect, emotion, and ultimately will.
In the surrender of self will to that of the Father’s will, His power and authority becomes established in the hearts and minds of every disciple.
After His death, resurrection and ascension Jesus commissioned those who received Him as King and sent them out into the community to make disciples.
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
The goal was not the cross but the crown of victory. Victory over evil, death and self.
The power and authority of Jesus Christ in His Spirit is a surging, rushing, relentless river of new life. After Jesus’ ascension 120 gathered according to His instructions. Then it happened. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost gave birth to the church as the body of the resurrected Christ. Empowering and mobilising the church to announce to all people and the principalities and powers that the Kingdom of God has come in Jesus.
By His Spirit through His disciples Jesus’ mission continued and rapidly grew. After one sermon by the Apostle Peter 3,000 Jews entered into God’s Kingdom.
Journeying though the book of Acts we see how the word of the Lord spread throughout Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Salvation is for all people.
Acts 13:44-49 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ” Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.
So the Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed. The word that has been translated as took is very interesting. It means to lay hold of in order to use, claim and name as one’s own. The Kingdom of Heaven or the Kingdom of God requires participation. The action is to lay hold of it and take responsibility for it as if it’s one’s own.
God the Father gave the Kingdom to the God the Son, who in turn gives it to all who are willing to receive His right to rule and reign. In receiving the King we lay hold of God’s right to rule and reign in our lives.
The mustard seed when planted germinates and grows to its future purpose.
In all three accounts of this parable included in the Bible the primary action is the growth. This growth has an eternal purpose.
For such is God’s Kingdom, a place of purpose, growth, fulfilment and the realisation of eternal destiny.
Jesus explains the purpose of this extraordinary growth is so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches or as in Mark’s account, nest under its shade.
To nest is to dwell. To dwell is a beautiful picture of what the Kingdom of God looks like here on earth. Living from a place within of perfect peace, justice, equality and respect in amongst this world of chaos, injustice, inequality and shame.
Time is short. We herald in His kingdom, being established in His truth, rooted in His love and transformed in His power. We are part of a movement far greater than ourselves. God’s universal history is what gives meaning to our lives. We have a place in God’s eternal love story.
Remember Jesus said the purpose of the growth of the kingdom is so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches. All people, all tribes, all nations who are willing can dwell in His Kingdom. Find rest and shade on this earth. Free from all offences, judgment and ultimately eternal death.
The final word recorded in the Bible from the church in oneness with the Holy Spirit is to invite all who are thirsty to come.
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
Together by His Spirit let us the universal church throughout the world take hold of His kingdom. Establishing His right to rule and reign in our hearts and minds. As this is the heart of our Father, the mission of our King and saviour, the work of the Holy Spirit, in which every disciple participates.
