Who Would Have Thought It?

Who Would Have Thought It?Reader: Miriam MontgomeryDate: 13th July 2022Passage: Matthew 13:3-------------------Who would have thought that a tiny grain of mustard seed, when planted, would grow up to be one of the largest of bushes that even birds could come and nest in it?Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is just like that. From the smallest of beginnings the kingdom of heaven has spread out into all the world with millions and millions of people who are' citizens' of that kingdom.The phrase 'the kingdom of heaven' was a well-known way of describing the way in which the authority and word of God is being followed. Satan the devil has set up a rival kingdom and when Jesus came into the world he came to destroy Satan's kingdom and rescue people from it and take them into his kingdom.In order to destroy Satan's kingdom and save his people the Lord Jesus had to go to the cross and die. But now through that death and his resurrection Jesus is establishing his kingdom, bringing a life of goodness, peace and joy to all who come to follow him. The day will come when all of Satan's kingdom will be destroyed and the kingdom of our Lord will be shown to all in its world-wide glory. As we enjoy worshipping God in church we experience something of what it means to live in the kingdom of heaven.PrayerDear Lord I pray you will help me to live as a true citizen of your kingdom. Amen.