Scripture
Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand.
Observation
Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a farmer who sows seed. Without any intervention the seed grows and matures until harvest time.
The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that grows and becomes a bush.
Jesus used many stories to describe the kingdom, but He always explained them to the disciples.
Application
The kingdom of God is like a farmer and it is like a tiny seed. How can it be both?
Jesus knew that we relate better to stories than to theological doctrines. We need the doctrines for knowledge but the stories speak to our heart.
The kingdom of God is organic and relational. It is also unstoppable.
These are the messages in these brief stories. We can see in our mind the farmer planting, the shoots emerging and the harvest taking place, all without human strategy or plant growth conferences.
God’s kingdom has been growing for 2000 years. Of the increase of His government there shall be no end.
My testimony of experiencing God’s grace in Christ is one of the stories that God can use to bring people to faith. It is not enough by itself because people need to relate to Christ, not just to me. But it is a powerful expression for people who have never related to Jesus.
The kingdom of God is like a young man who refused to believe in God. One night he had a dream…
Every story is different because every person is different. The story of grace remains the same and expresses itself through our individual stories.
Prayer
Thank you Lord for the power of stories especially the story of the kingdom. Help me to share this story with others. Amen.
