It is good to be encouraged in a day of seemingly small things that this is exactly what the Lord taught concerning the Kingdom of God.
Luke records the Lord's parables of growth concerning the Kingdom, He likened the Kingdom of God to three things:
1. The mustard seed in its disproportionate external growth. (13:19)
2. Leaven in its disproportionate internal influence. (13:21)
3. Believers in their disproportionate global expansion. (13:29)
After 2000 years, we are in a better position than the first disciples to see the growth, influence and expanse of the gospel message. It must have been a huge thing for these early believers to imagine that the glorious Kingdom spoken of by the prophets could start from such small, insignificant and restricted beginnings.
This was so different from what was anticipated that the disappointment may have in part at least, motivated Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus.
This was so different from what was anticipated that the disappointment may have in part at least, motivated Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus.
Yet, still we lose sight of just how powerful the simple preaching of the Kingdom of God is in our world today. To be a part of this phenomenal, majestic, celestial movement brought to this small earth is an honor beyond expression.
With man's increase in knowledge comes the awareness of how small the earth is in relation to the heavens. Yet it is here that the Sovereign of the universe chose to reveal Himself.
Of all of the world's kingdoms, Israel is just a tiny speck of land. Surrounded by her enemies, at the time of Christ, subject to Roman rule. Yet, it is here that the Sovereign of the nations chose to make the center of His rule.
Among the mighty men of earth, A poor, teenage carpenter and his virgin fiancee were chosen to give birth and care for the object of demonic fury.
From a tiny hill emblematic of death and rejection, the Lord of Glory suffers the ignominy of a felon's punishment. His death outside the city of a captive people in a small spit of land upon an insignificant globe among the millions of galaxies in a vast universe is the means that God chooses to redeem that same decaying universe.
Out of the chaos of religious philosophies, a ragtag group of poor fishermen, political rebels and reprobate Jews were chosen of the Lord to sow the tiny seed of the Kingdom among Jews and Gentiles. From this disparate band a global body of believers trained to serve as co-regents with the Sovereign of all creation.
God sums up this message of eternity in simple emblems of bread and wine shared among small gatherings of souls redeemed from an eternally damning depravity. Like children whose hearts long to embrace loving parents, the simplest believer longs for the full embrace of Him who has chosen them to be co-heirs of an eternal, glorious kingdom.
No wonder that He permits the children to come to Him, 'for of such are the kingdom of God'.
In contrast, the world by wisdom failed to know God (1Cor 1:21) and by hiding the kingdom from the wise and prudent, it is revealed to babes. (Matthew 11:25)
The Kingdom of God is small enough for the feeblest to understand yet large enough for whosoever will;
The Kingdom of God is hidden from those who help themselves, but it is an enlightening influence to those who admit that they are helpless;
The Kingdom of God is observed among a mere two or three gathered to His name, yet inclusive of every tongue, kindred, nation and tribe of the earth.
Contributed by Steve McMurray
No comments:
Post a Comment