Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 8Sample

In the parable of the mustard seed, Jesus was giving a picture of what the Kingdom of God would grow to be like. He uses a comparison of a mustard seed to the bigger tree it would become. If we look at what the Jesus Movement or the Church has become, it would be easy for us today to understand what Jesus was talking about then. Something that started with Jesus and the twelve disciples now consists of billions all over the world.

Ezekiel 17:22-23 paints a similar picture:

“This is what the Lord says: I will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and plant it. I will pluck a tender sprig from its topmost shoots, and I will plant it on a high towering mountain.

I will plant it on Israel’s high mountain so that it may bear branches, produce fruit, and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches.”

Invitation:

The good news is that when we said yes to Jesus and salvation, we became part of His Kingdom or family. He did not bring us into His family to just be part of the daily growing number of people joining. No! He brought us in to partner with Him as servants or vessels. We are the branches others will hang on to as they join the family of Christ. We are the light through which Jesus radiates His love and life to others around us. We are the salt of the earth. We are the branches that will bear fruit so that others may taste and see the goodness of God in the new life. Some of us will be branches that will provide shade under which those who are exhausted from the race of life would rest. Jesus wants to use us; He wants to use you. He chose you for this beautiful movement. You are part of a family on mission.

“The Kingdom of God is not just a matter of getting individuals, but of transforming lives here on earth into a harmony of heaven.”- Walter Raushenbusch