This led Him to say, What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the wild birds found shelter and roosted and nested in its branches. And again He said, To what shall I liken the Kingdom of God? It is like leaven which a woman took and his in three measures of wheat flour or meal until it was leavened (fermented) (Luke 13:18-21).
Jesus spoke in parables when teaching what the Kingdom of God was like. He said that it would appear small from the onlooker and hidden yet with the person searching for it in faith it would yield a harvest unimaginable. Faith is the key component to make something appear clear that is not obvious to the senses (Heb 11:1). Faith comes when we set aside our intellect and become like a child. A child just believes. They don’t understand.
A mustard seed does not stay in the planters hand and grow to become big beautiful tree. The seed is cast or thrown out into soil, where it grows to be a large tree. Once grown, the birds can perch on it and find safety and make their homes in it. Also, leaven is a key in baking bread that rises. Without it being mixed thoroughly into the dough the bread bakes flat.
Likewise, when we compare the kingdom of God to these things it’s apparent that our faith by itself doesn’t do really do much of anything except reside. But if we combine our faith with the power bestowed upon those who house the Kingdom of God within them we can move mountains. Leave legacies that lift God up and promote His purposes.
The word kingdom in basically all of the Gospels means the same thing. In the Greek kingdom is basileia. This word speaks of the authority we as believers have because of what Christ died to give us. In fact, Luke 17:21 says that the same kingdom of God lives within the believer. Strong’s concordance agrees with this conclusion and states that the Kingdom of God is said to be where the King is. Where His rule is acknowledged. First in the heart of the individual believer and then in the churches (Acts 4:19, Eph 3:17, 1 Pet 3:15, 1 Cor 12:3,5,11; 14:37).
When we let that authority become something we can understand and mix into our growing faith, we can use it for God’s glory to shine doing His work just as Jesus said we would. Then people will come flocking to find God because the unexplainable will happen right before their very eyes; miracles such as healing sickness, opening blind eyes, raising the dead as well as seeing people delivered from the chains Satan has them shackled to. There will be righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17). (A side note: the Kingdom of Heaven is always the Kingdom of God but the Kingdom of God is not limited to the perimeters of the Kingdom of Heaven. Strong’s concordance)
Only in the New Testament is the word basileia found referring to the kingdom. In the Old Testament there are a few different words used in place of the kingdom but they never have to do with the authority Christ died to give us. It only refers to God’s power and the authority that He has. In the Strong’s Concordance of the Bible it says that because we live in a fallen world the Kingdom of God in the Greek is the sphere in which at any given time His rule is acknowledged.
Why shouldn’t we search out these hidden things so we can see the power of God working in and through us everyday? Our fear holds us back, or regret for not knowing these truths when we had loved ones sick and dying and we could do nothing because of our lack of understanding or belief in receiving more. Maybe we’re old in our faith yet we’ve never learned these miraculous truths.
Take a step of faith and fight to grow in your faith. Never become satisfied with what you know about God. That’s when complacency sets in and we are mediocre in our relationship. Strive to know more of God. Those mysteries and secrets He unveils only to those who search with their whole heart (Luke 11).
A Life Redone 