Tuesday in the Eighth Week of Ordinary Time

Matthew 13:31-33; Mark 4:21-32; Luke 8:16-18

The Kingdom of God Grows Unnoticed by the World

The topic of each of these parables is the kingdom of God.  The Sower was just such a parable illustrating the different “soils” and their varied responses to the message of the kingdom.  The other four speak to the kingdom’s growth in the world.  These parables are shorter than and different from the “Sower,” showing that Jesus spoke parables in various ways.

The first of the parables we consider speaks to the fact that no one places a lamp under a basket or under a bed but on a stand to give light to a room.  Jesus then says, “For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest, nor is anything secret except to come to light.”  The meaning is that as one enters the kingdom by faith, God makes secret things, hidden things, come to light.  One begins to understand more about the will of God and his ways in the kingdom, in his people, in the world.  And better yet, the more one listens with a humble and teachable heart, the more understanding the Holy Spirit gives that believer.  On the other hand, the more a believer becomes slack or cherishes some sin in his life, the less the Spirit reveals through His word.  So rejoice!  It is God’s good pleasure to reveal His will and way to you.

The next three parables are similar.  The first speaks of a farmer who plants his seed.  He may indeed cultivate, fertilize, weed, and do many other things to ensure a good harvest.  But the one thing the farmer cannot do is make the seed sprout and produce. He can provide the best conditions, but the harvest he cannot bring.  So it is with the kingdom of God.  It is not something that man brings with all his effort.  He must be faithful in all he does, virtuous, pure in heart, loving his God and neighbor as himself.  But the kingdom no one can bring but God.  Then there is the parable of the mustard seed.  When it is planted it is the smallest of seeds, but when full grown becomes a large garden plant spreading branches that even the birds may nest and find shade.  The same message is taught in the parable of the leaven.  In the same way the kingdom of God began very small – a few disciples in Jerusalem – but grew till it now covers the entire globe.

Our Lord came to establish a kingdom.  It is invisible now and grows in the most mysterious ways.  And our Lord is even now King of kings and Lord of lords.  One day, this shall be manifest for all to see, for every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:9-11).  Until then, his people trust in his word.  They are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ waiting for the day when their faith shall become sight (Romans 8:17).

Author: The Reformed Baptist

My name is Stephen Taylor, ordained Baptist minister of eighteen years pastoral experience with a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Better than that, I am married to a godly woman, Karla, who has been very patient with me since 1989. I have two daughters, both of whom I homeschooled for extended periods of time, who became godly young women, and who ran off and married godly young men, all of which is very proper. The oldest daughter has even seen fit to bless me with a grandson and a granddaughter, and my youngest daughter with a grandson, all three of whom are bundles of exceeding joy. As you can see, I am quite blessed. This website is dedicated to helping people grow in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through the gift of writing that the Lord has given to me. It is specifically about helping His people grow in godliness, the theme you see repeated above. I write devotions with this aim and hope that they might be of some help to God’s people. Full disclosure: I am of a Reformed bent, meaning that my understanding of Scripture is primarily informed by the Reformers and their successors of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. However, as a student of church history and theology, I strive to remain true to that teaching handed down once for all unto the saints through every age of the Church. I like to think of myself as a “catholic” Christian, as the Reformers thought of themselves. At any rate, feel free to read, pray, and contact me if you wish, or correct me if need be. As you can see, I tend to follow the church year. Of course, I make no special claims about these devotions. I know very well that others have written better and plumbed the depths of God’s word with greater insight. But if my musings help someone draw closer to the Lord, well then, I have my reward. Blessings to you and may the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ speak to you that word which He knows you especially need to hear. Grace & peace, Stephen Taylor View all posts by The Reformed Baptist