Kingdom Quantity

Read: Matthew 13:31-33

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. Matthew 13:31

IN WORD

After the exiled Jews returned from captivity in Babylon and Persia, they began to rebuild the Temple. It had none of its former glory—at least at the beginning. Neither did the city, the land, or the culture, all fragmented and weakened during the years of exile. The restoration project seemed disappointing. But Zechariah prophesied that no one should despise the day of small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10). Why? Because great things often arise from small, almost imperceptible beginnings.

That’s almost always how it is with God. The story of a chosen people began with one childless couple. The greatest king of the chosen nation began as a shepherd marginalized by his own family. The most significant event in world history began with an out-of-the-way birth in an out-of-the-way town because there was no room at the inn. The mission of the Messiah was handed to twelve followers who had no idea how to begin a movement. Yet a third of the world’s billions today claim to be followers of this faith and are increasing in number daily. The prophecy of Isaiah has proven true: The King’s Kingdom has never stopped increasing (Isaiah 9:7).

That should be a profound encouragement to every small business, church, or endeavor. If God is beginning something, it doesn’t matter how small and insignificant it looks. It will grow into whatever He intends it to be. Like a mustard seed, His Kingdom work usually begins beneath the radar of opposition and can attract much contempt, even from believers without eyes to see. But it grows. The smallest seed becomes the biggest plant in the garden.

IN DEED

Don’t get discouraged. It’s not a Kingdom attribute. Know the ways of the King, and expect Him to do a lot with a little. That’s how He works, and it’s perfectly normal. His work in this world is spreading to fulfill all His purposes. And people with mustard-seed faith will certainly see them fulfilled.

ADDITIONAL READING: Zechariah 4:8-10

Renewals and revolutions begin quietly, like faith itself. They start growing from one staggering thought: Things don’t have to be like this.

JOHN V. TAYLOR