January 23 | Matthew 13:31-35

---

DAILY READING

Matthew 13:31-35

---

REFLECTION

The Kingdom is Like

by Dan Kidd

When his disciples addressed Jesus, they'd often do so by calling him "Rabbi." Rabbi: an itinerant teacher or scholar, especially in Jewish faith and law. One of the primary ways Jesus' people related to him was as their teacher. We see the evidence of Jesus' teaching shot throughout the Gospels. Jesus is constantly instructing through sermons, practical and object lessons, and through parables.

The more I study the parables, the more fascinated I am by Jesus' use of them. Whereas I used to think Jesus intended to use parables to explain complex moral lessons in simple illustrations, I now don't think that's quite right. Instead, it seems that Jesus chose to teach in parables as a strategy to grow the Kingdom's citizenry on a firm and deeply-rooted foundation. In other words, instead of teaching complex morality in simple illustrations, Jesus taught about himself, his ministry, and the Kingdom of God in something like a riddle, and he trusted those with "ears to hear" to interpret him. In fact, the Hebrew word translated "parable" (mashal) is elsewhere translated proverb or riddle. Understood this way, it makes sense that the disciples would ask Jesus why he spoke to the people in parables in Matthew 13:10. They were, I imagine, as confused as I would be that, when Jesus had the opportunity to teach to the crowds, he spoke in riddles or proverbs rather than saying plainly what he meant. Jesus wanted his disciples to be curious, to meditate on his words, and to seek out understanding through and from him.

As we read the parables in today's passage, we pray that the Lord would give us ears to hear them. Notice how Jesus describes the Kingdom in these two parables. First, it starts as tiny as a mustard seed, and then, like the spreading of the reign of King Jesus over the earth, it grows into a large tree, where birds perch amongst the branches. The Kingdom that Jesus said was near, even in his own ministry grew and thrives today. And like the yeast the woman kneaded into her dough, God's Kingdom, subtly permeates and transforms what would be flat and thin into something risen and full.

And isn't that the way of Jesus' Kingdom mission? It began small, with only a few followers, then more, then crowds, then the early Church, and now, centuries later, with multitudes of Kingdom citizens joined together. This is also the way the Kingdom grows in our own lives. Beginning with a small faith, a hint of the aroma of the peace of Paradise, and it grows in us and around us until we long to see the Kingdom everywhere. The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed; like yeast kneaded into dough.

PRAYER

Let it be, Lord, that we would continue to have ears to hear your Word in all its forms. That your Spirit would give us the wisdom to understand you and that our hearts would seek you to know you. Lead us, Lord, to marvel at your Kingdom, and how in its small and unassuming ways it grows, expands, and overcomes the world. And, let that Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us eyes to see that. Thank you, God, for this Kingdom you're cultivating even now.

January 22 | Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

---

DAILY READING

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

---

REFLECTION

Trusting God's Judgment

by Pr. Dave Mann

The parable of the weeds (delivered in vv. 24-30 and then explained in vv. 36-43) can be a frustrating parable for us. A man plants his field with good seed (the Word of God), but at night the enemy (the devil) sows the seed of weeds in the same ground. Once both types of seed sprout, it is clear that the field, intended to be full of only good seed, is contaminated by the bad seed. The workers, frustrated and disgusted with the situation, want to “clean up” the field by pulling out the weeds early in the growing season. However, the owner wants to hear nothing of the workers’ plan, knowing that their zeal to purify the field would no doubt bring the demise of many good plants.

The owner is content to let both types of seed grow to full maturity until the harvest, when the identity of each would be perfectly clear, and the two different plants would be easily separated—an action that corresponds to the final judgment, which is entrusted to the hands of the reapers (angels), not the fallible workers (humans).

Our attitude is often that of the workers. We are frustrated that the world (and even the church) is a mixture of the good and bad, the righteous and the unrighteous. We ask the Lord to separate the wheat and chaff right away. We even desire to “help” God by offering to be his agents in the separating process. But God, in his sovereign wisdom, does not accord to us the responsibility of ridding the world of those whom we have identified as the weeds, the undesirables of the world. We want the Lord’s field to be neat and tidy, but God is not concerned about “looking good.” God is more concerned about the eternal safety of those who are saved, but perhaps not sanctified enough for our preferences. God does not want any of his precious sons and daughters to be lost, based on our fallible human standards. (See John 6:39 and John 17:12.)

The Lord’s patience is greater than ours. We prefer swift, even whimsical justice. God is willing to endure the ambiguous time of the growing season until the harvest. In this way, God challenges us to trust him and his timing, until the day of judgment which will surely come, and when it does come, it will be just. 

PRAYER

Lord, you who are the only just and righteous judge in the world, grant that we may trust your wisdom and your judgment in such a way that we learn to imitate your patience and your love, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

January 21 | Mark 4:1-34

---

DAILY READING

Mark 4:1-34

---

REFLECTION

What is New Here?

by Elaine Pierce

I would bet that almost everyone who reads this blog has read these parables before. The parable of the sower, the lamp on a stand, the parable of the growing seed, and the parable of the mustard seed are among the most well known of all Jesus' teachings. Take a look at verse 2 of the old Thanksgiving hymn, "Come Ye Thankful People Come.

Yes, we are familiar with these parables. But how can we look at them with fresh eyes today? When a scripture is well-worn and familiar, it can be easy to 'hear but not understand' as Jesus says to his closest followers, the Twelve, after he shares the parable of the sower. Sometimes I am certain that I already know what a verse means, and I don't take time to ask God to show me new truths.

As I read these verses and prayed over what I could share with you, I was struck by the last two verses: With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. (v. 33-34). A couple of observations:

1. The gospels don't record the entirety of Jesus' preaching -think of how much more we will learn when we spend eternity with him!

2. He explained everything to his disciples when he was alone with them. How important it is to spend one-on-one time with the Lord.

Take time every day this week to kneel at Jesus' feet and to meditate on the word. Yes, you will have days that will be dry as dust, but don't lose heart. And thank him for the time to come when we will have all eternity to sing his praises and to fully know him.

PRAYER

Lord, I wish I knew all the answers, but I recognize that on this side of heaven that won't happen. Help me sit at your feet and learn from you, for your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Amen.