Knowing The Word in Luke 13:18-30, The Mustard Seed, Leaven & The Narrow Door

The point of the Parable of the Mustard Seed is the end result: the plant grows so large that birds will nest in it. Roosting birds are a biblical symbol for the nations of the earth. The kingdom of God will be universal. While this parable is concerned with the kingdom’s extension through the world; the Parable of Leaven presents its transformative power. A small amount of leaven can change a large mass of flour. Leaven works quietly and unseen as Christ’s influence works quiet in the hearts of believers. Leaven works from the inside out, not from the outside in.

Who is in the kingdom? Jesus makes it clear there will be many surprises in the kingdom’s membership. Hebrew writings of the day indicate that the rabbis believed all Israel would be saved except for some blatant sinners who excluded themselves. Jesus emphasizes people must “strive,” which is a technical term for competing in the Games. It denotes whole-hearted action. It does not mean that human achievement merits entrance but points to one’s attitude. The many who are unable to enter are those who do not try to enter until it is too late. Jesus taught in the open where all could hear, contrasting with some rabbis who would not teach on the street but only behind closed doors. They will experience complete rejection. “Some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last” means the kingdom membership will include Gentiles while these Jews opposing Jesus will be left out. Those who were thought to be outside will be inside and those who thought they were inside will be outside. Jesus further explains this in the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

19 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”

20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”

22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Prayer:

Let all the world in every corner sing

My God and King.

The heavens are not too high,

His praise may thither fly:

The earth is not too low,

His praises there may grow.

Let all the world in every corner sing

My God and King.

Let all the world in every corner sing

My God and King.

The Church with psalms must shout,

No door can keep them out:

But above all, the heart

Must bear the longest part.

Let all the word in every corner sing

My God and King.

George Herbert, 1593-1633