Slices
Prepare
‘[Jesus] said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”’ (John 8:12). Thank God for the amazing ‘light’ that Jesus has brought into your life.
Bible passage
A lamp on a stand
21 He said to them, ‘Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.’
24 ‘Consider carefully what you hear,’ he continued. ‘With the measure you use, it will be measured to you – and even more. 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.’
The parable of the growing seed
26 He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces corn – first the stalk, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 As soon as the corn is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.’
The parable of the mustard seed
30 Again he said, ‘What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.’
33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
Explore
In the beginning God created light (Genesis 1:3). Then God gave us Jesus on earth – the light of the world. God reveals him gradually, first to this crowd, then to that healed individual, then to those who ‘get’ the message of the parables. The light mustn’t be hidden. That’s why it’s so important for those listening to Jesus to see the light and respond appropriately. Jesus’ parables point people to God, to himself, to the light – and to the response God is longing for.
The ‘spreading of the light’ and the ‘growth of the crop’ are God’s doing (vs 27,28). However hard we work at sharing the good news with our friends, families and communities, the results are not up to us – we can’t make kingdom growth happen. And however puny our efforts might seem, we can never tell what God will make of them (vs 31,32). We need to be ready to be amazed.
I’d love to know what other parables Jesus told the listening crowd, wouldn’t you (v 33)?
Respond
‘With you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light’ (Psalm 36:9). Think about which of the three ‘Respond’ questions from yesterday you can best answer, then do so in Jesus’ presence.
Deeper Bible study
‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.’1
Jesus continued to teach the disciples about the kingdom of God, by telling two parables focusing on the kingdom’s growth (vs 26–32). The parable of the growing seed reminds us of the quiet and continuous growth of the kingdom. The seed will bear fruit at its own appointed time and a harvest is promised. The parable of the mustard seed carries a similar theme. The mustard seed is one of the tiniest seeds, but it grows to become one of the largest garden plants. Both these parables describe silent and almost unnoticed growth with amazing final results.
So it is with the kingdom of God. It will grow from insignificant beginnings to final triumph. This is indeed a very comforting, encouraging word for us. In our service for the Lord, we may not always see the fruit of our labour. My father suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and lost his memory towards the end of his life. Yet, amazingly, there was one thing he always remembered. It was a simple Sunday-school song he had learned: ‘Jesus loves me; this I know’. This song kept him close to God until he breathed his last. I often wondered if my father’s Sunday-school teacher would ever think that a simple song he taught a little boy would have a lasting effect even more than 80 years later.
In whatever capacity you serve God – be it a Sunday-school teacher, a cell-group leader, a worship leader – know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain. Do not let discouragement and despair rob you from the joy of serving God.
Have you been disheartened by a discouraging response in your service for God? If so, how has the teaching of Jesus helped you concerning your ministry?
1 Gal 6:9
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Chronicles 3–5; Galatians 5
Pray for Scripture Union
This week’s prayers all relate to this article.
As our summer holidays and missions have now also been cancelled, please pray that God will provide our volunteer leaders with other opportunities to reach out to children and young people this summer with the hope that Jesus offers.
