God’s Word of Wisdom
Introduction
Luke 13:18-30: By means of three parables – about a mustard seed, yeast, and the narrow door – Jesus teaches about God’s Kingdom.
Scripture Reading
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
(Matthew 13.31,32; Mark 4.30-32)
18Jesus asked, “What is the Kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it with? 19It is like this. A man takes a mustard seed and plants it in his field. The plant grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make their nests in its branches.”
The Parable of the Yeast
(Matthew 13.33)
20Again Jesus asked, “What shall I compare the Kingdom of God with? 21It is like this. A woman takes some yeast and mixes it with a bushel of flour until the whole batch of dough rises.”
The Narrow Door
(Matthew 7.13,14,21-23)
22Jesus went through towns and villages, teaching the people and making his way toward Jerusalem. 23Someone asked him, “Sir, will just a few people be saved?”
Jesus answered them, 24“Do your best to go in through the narrow door; because many people will surely try to go in but will not be able. 25The master of the house will get up and close the door; then when you stand outside and begin to knock on the door and say, ‘Open the door for us, sir!’ he will answer you, ‘I don’t know where you come from!’ 26Then you will answer, ‘We ate and drank with you; you taught in our town!’ 27 But he will say again, ‘I don’t know where you come from. Get away from me, all you wicked people!’ 28 How you will cry and gnash your teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, while you are thrown out! 29People will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down at the feast in the Kingdom of God. 30 Then those who are now last will be first, and those who are now first will be last.”
Today’s Key Verse: Luke 13:29
People will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down at the feast in the Kingdom of God.
Reflect
What do the parables in today’s reading teach you about the Kingdom of God? The feast that is described in verse 29 hearkens back to the end-time banquet described in Isaiah 25:6-9. How do you envision this feast?
Pray
We pray that your Kingdom come, O God. Thank you for Jesus who has shown us the way of your truth and invites us to the feast you have prepared for us in your Kingdom. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Luke 14:1-14: Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath.