18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. 20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. (Luke 13:18-21 KJV)
The Mustard Seed and the Leaven
Here is the gospel’s progress foretold in two parables, which also appear in Matthew 13:31-33. The kingdom of the Messiah is the kingdom of God, for it advances his glory. This kingdom was still a mystery, and people generally misunderstood it. When describing something unfamiliar, we often use comparisons: “You don’t know this person, but I will tell you who he is like.” In the same way, Christ explains what the kingdom of God is like (Luke 13:18):
“Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?” (Luke 13:20). It will be quite different from what you expect and will accomplish its purpose in an entirely different way.
“You expect it will appear great and suddenly reach perfection; but you’re mistaken. It is like a grain of mustard seed—tiny, taking up little space, looking insignificant, and promising little. Yet when sown in suitable soil, it becomes a large tree” (Luke 13:19).
Many were likely prejudiced against the gospel and reluctant to obey it because it seemed to begin so small. They might have said of Christ, “Can this man save us?” and of his gospel, “Will this ever amount to anything?” Christ addresses this by assuring them that although its beginning is small, its end will be great, and many will come and dwell in it with safety and satisfaction—more so than in the branches of Nebuchadnezzar’s tree (Daniel 4:21).
“You also expect it will advance by external power—by conquering nations and defeating armies. Instead, it will work like leaven—silently, gradually, and without force or violence” (Luke 13:21). A little leaven leavens the whole lump; so the doctrine of Christ will quietly permeate human hearts. In this way, it triumphs, as the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ spreads in every place, far beyond what anyone could expect (2 Corinthians 2:14). But you must give it time. Wait for the gospel to work in the world, and you’ll see it transform lives. Eventually, the whole will be leavened—those hearts prepared, like the flour to the leaven, to receive its influence.