May 23, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 13:18-35

Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 26:1-20; Luke 13:18-35

“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.’” (Luke 13:18-19)

In the Name + of Jesus. 

As people, we like stories of victories, don’t we? We love it when our sports teams win. We love for hard work to pay off. We love it when we see the fruits of our own labors come to fruition. All of these things bring us happiness and satisfaction, don’t they? 

But then Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed. If you have seen a mustard seed, you know they aren’t much as far as seeds go. They aren’t acorns that are large and sturdy looking. They aren’t walnuts that you can see easily as they fall from trees. No, they’re small and seem insignificant. 

God’s work often looks this way. It often looks like the Church isn’t making much progress in the world. It often looks like we’re not making much progress in being good Christians. It often feels like we’re better at sinning than we are being faithful. And when you look at the cross, it’s the same way. On the cross, Jesus doesn’t look like a powerful God. He looks lowly. He looks like He’s defeated, and Satan wins. 

But then Jesus tells how a mustard seed grows. Yes, it looks insignificant, but it gets big enough for the birds to live in it and for them to be sustained by it. This cross is the same. Despite its lowly appearance, or actually even by it, Jesus accomplishes the greatest of things: the salvation of the world. By the seed of His body falling to the ground, the tree that grows in His resurrection provides for the needs of the many. 

You see, this is how God works. The little bit looks insignificant, but through its insignificant appearance, God is bringing about great works. Even today, through the lowly waters poured on a baby, or the bread and wine of His Supper, there He is bringing the cross and resurrection to His people and sustaining them in His eternal love. It doesn’t seem like much, but again, this is how God works.

This means that when you see the things that don’t look like victories, you can trust that somehow God is still working good things through it. Think of it: the cross is the worst possible thing— the death of the perfect Man, God in the flesh. But through it, God accomplished the greatest possible thing: the salvation of mankind. If He can do it there, He can do it in the worst things in Your life too. In fact, He promises that He will. 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Heavenly Father, when we see the lowly things of this world and Your Kingdom, bless us to see them with the eyes of faith and trust in Your promises knowing that through these You accomplish the greatest things, most of all our salvation. Amen.

- Rev. Matthew Zickler, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Western Springs, IL.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God’s people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.