#90 Luke 13:18-21 Like a Mustard Seed
On September 25, 2022 by Amy BurginJoy:
Episode #90 Luke 13:18-21
Welcome
Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you could make it. I’m Amy Burgin.
Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin.
Amy:
Christgazing, kind of like stargazing, is the act of looking steadily and intently at Jesus. This podcast makes room for just that. Amid a world of many words, we slow down here and make space for the God-breathed Words, the best words, the ones that rightly comfort, correct, and lead us. This is the kind of podcast I am in dire need of. Each week Joy reads a portion of scripture several times and creates stillness after each reading so we might also be still and know God more.
We are in a series that takes us through the book of Luke, focusing on the red-lettered words of Christ.
Pour Out Your Heart to God
Amy:
Before Joy reads today, take time to share your heart with God. We do this each week; we pour out our heart to God, so that He might fill us up with exactly what we need. So bring your nightmares, your daydreams, your grief, joy, anger, excitement, exhaustion, and thanksgiving to God in this next minute.
What Does This Passage Say About God?
Joy:
I’m going to read today’s text two times. As I read, consider the question, what does this tell us about God?
Luke 13:18-21 18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”
20 Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
Again?
Luke 13:18-21 18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”
20 Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
Take a minute to be still and know what this says about God.
[Pause and know]What Does This Passage Say About People?
Joy:
As I reread the passage, consider a different question. What does this tell us about people?
Luke 13:18-21 18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”
20 Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage tell you about people?
[Pause and know]Lord, What Would You Have Me Know Or Do Today?
Joy: As I read for the last time, ask God, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?
Luke 13:18-21 18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”
20 Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
Take the next minute to ask God, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”
[Pause and listen]Blessing
Joy:
Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. And may you turn your face toward Jesus today and know him more.
One Response
Amy:
Someone once explained to me that the Kingdom of God can also be thought of as God’s way of doing things. It makes sense. When you’re the king, you’re in charge. When you’re charge, you get to do things your way.
Two things stand out to me today about God’s way.
- God is intentional. To operate in his ways, it is good for us to also be intentional. A man intentionally planted a mustard tree in his garden. And a woman intentionally took and mixed yeast into about 60 pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.
- God asks us to bring only a very small thing, like a tiny mustard seed or a little bit of yeast. God takes care of the growing and transforming. Although a man plants a tiny mustard seed, it is God who makes it grow into a tree. Although the woman mixes the yeast until it works into all the dough, it is God who makes the dough rise.
This teaches me that when God’s word is sown into our hearts, we can trust it will grow into something good, strong, and steady, like a tree with branches, which birds wish to perch in. When my own mind and emotions begin to frantically fly about, they have a place to perch, find refuge, and rest.
This teaches me that when we mix God’s way of doing things into all parts of our lives, He will make us rise, rise above our sinful nature.
This teaches me not to despise my small gifts. When we intentionally bring our small gifts to the table, like a small prayer for the sick, a small letter of encouragement, a little meal for someone in need, 25 minutes a day designated for writing a book, whatever it is, when we keep bringing our small gifts and working them into our whole lives, we can trust God will transform and grow them into something bigger, good, and beautiful,
Closing
You can find a transcript of this episode and all our episodes at amyburgin.com. Joy and I will be back again next week to go Christgazing together. Until then, don’t forget, when you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails, and so do you.
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