Storyteller: The Parables of Jesusනියැදිය

Quiet Power (Parable of the Mustard Seed and Leaven)

When we come to faith in Christ, not only do we enter the Kingdom, but the Kingdom enters us and begins to revolutionize our lives from the inside out. All the resources of Heaven, including its power, are at our disposal.

First Corinthians 4:20 (ESV) says, “For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.”

We are not just given information about Jesus or an instruction manual on how He hopes for us to operate in the world. We come into contact with the Kingdom. We are given new life through the tangible, indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, Who radically transforms us into His likeness and equips us to live as He did, becoming His representatives throughout the world.

The Kingdom of God comes in power for two purposes: internal growth and external impact.

This is one of the key themes found in the parables Jesus tells about the mustard seed and the leaven.

While these parables primarily illustrate how the Kingdom—though seemingly small and unimpressive at first—quietly and powerfully grows, withstanding all opposition throughout the ages to become the only remaining, mighty Kingdom for all eternity, they are deeply relevant to us.

We are meant to be a touchpoint between Heaven and earth, between Christ and those who do not yet know Him. People should be able to look upon our lives at any given moment and experience the Kingdom of God through our love, grace, compassion, and power.

The only way this is possible is by His resurrection power at work in us. When the Kingdom breaks into our lives, dead things come to life. Addictions are broken, relationships are restored, forgiveness becomes possible, and joy returns. Our old life is buried with Christ, and we are raised to a new life with Him. As a result, people will be unable to deny the radical difference in us, seeing clearly that the Kingdom of God does not just exist in word but in power.

No other kingdom can boast such power. While the world and its rulers hoard power for personal gain, their little kingdoms eventually collapsing, Jesus comes to generously give His power away, bringing a growing number into His Kingdom day by day.

Though we labor alongside Jesus, there’s no need to perform or strive because we are not the ones building or expanding His Kingdom. It is already here, and its growth depends on God. What we are called to do is reflect the beauty of Christ and demonstrate His Kingdom.

Apart from Him, we are powerless to do this, but when we trust in Him, Christ fills our lives. Like leaven, He quietly and gently folds His truth into every nook and cranny of our hearts until it permeates everything and comes pouring out of us. He raises us up in order to send us out.

Similarly, like a mustard seed, change in us may be imperceptible at first. But over time, we will grow, like branches on a tree reaching upward toward Heaven, powerfully and supernaturally into a redemptive source of life for others, making the Kingdom attractive.

Ultimately, we can trust that whatever God sows, He will be faithful to grow.

Prayer

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21, ESV)

Jesus, You can be trusted with everything in my life. I give You all the honor and glory. Amen.