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  2. Luke
  3. Chapter 13

The parables of the mustard seed and the yeast

Luke 13:18-21Luke: List of Major Bible Charts, Maps, & PicturesJesus' Journey to JerusalemJesus' Teaching about the Kingdom of God

Section · Luke 13:18–14:24

Jesus' Teaching about the Kingdom of God

Luke writes on how Jesus explained the presence of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom: (1) has come, (2) is coming, and (3) will come in its fulness. The Kingdom of God has been: (1) initiated in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, (2) continues throughout the Church age, and (3) comes in its fulness in the consummation of all things at the end.

Luke recorded Jesus's teaching about the surprising nature of God's kingdom. It would grow slowly and include unexpected members, while those expected to enter would be excluded.

The parables of the mustard seed and the yeast

These two short parables start with the small beginnings of the Kingdom and point out: (1) its spread throughout the world (Jesus' disciples were small in number, but their message would permeate the world), and (2) its power to transform (yeast works invisibly, but powerfully).

Kingdom Seed: A mustard seed, so small it is almost invisible to the eye, produces a veritable tree capable of housing many birds. In a like manner, the Kingdom, which began so insignificantly, has grown immensely so that it has a huge effect on the world, and it will continue to do so until Christ returns. The Kingdom will reach all nations.

Kingdom Yeast: Yeast works silently and unseen - from the inside - but it affects everything. Though it rises slowly, it has incredible transforming power. Kingdom power is immense, because Gospel yeast truly transforms lives. Thus, the Kingdom of God, on the outside is growing slowly, it may appear almost stagnant at times, but on the inside the Spirit of God is working his will, way, and the consummation of the Kingdom is sure to come to its fullness - to its full expansion.

Luke 13:18-19

kingdom. see note on 4:43. mustard seed. A seed known for its small size (Matt. 13:32). Yet from the tiny seed a plant can grow eight to twelve feet tall. yeast. See note on 12:1. compare. Jesus compared the kingdom to mustard seed and yeast. In both examples, he showed that the kingdom of God starts small but eventually grows large.

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