Thy kingdom come…

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.” And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.” (Luke 13:18–21)

Jesus speaks prophetically. The Jews expected their Messiah would act quickly but He used two similes to tell them that His kingdom would start small yet grow large and the progress would be slow.

The first description was well-known in the Jewish world. This little seed often becomes a tree so tall that a man could climb up into the branches or ride beneath it on horseback. However, at that time it seemed impossible that one man and a few followers would become a large element like this common scenario of a little seed becoming a tree with spreading branches.

The second description is about how that kingdom changes the hearts of those who enter it. Leaven at that time was a lump of sour dough that was introduced into a far greater mass of fresh dough. It then produced the same condition into that greater mass which eventually became a wholesome, agreeable food. This type of bread is common today with many bakeries specializing in it.

Jesus used it to illustrate how quietly and silently His teaching and message would make its way into human hearts. He also said that those who spread it “will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.” (Matthew 12:19) During His life, this seemed impossible yet it was already at work.In a century and a half after He said these words, the whole civilized world knew something of Jesus’ history and teaching. His disciples were counted by tens of thousands. 

Jesus even used the number three. He could have meant the division of people into body, soul, and spirit, but this number is also a symbol of completeness, signifying that God's purpose would influence all of humanity and the time when all nations would worship Him. 

It started small: He was was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6–11)

Jesus, that was more than 2000 years ago and Your hearers never dreamed of a slow and quiet building of Your kingdom. They expected speed and Your speedy return to earth, yet what You said in two short descriptions tells me to be patient — yet expecting and ready. You always do what You say and I can trust You to complete the task of building Your kingdom. It will be perfect and everlasting.