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We are reading and studying in some depth in Luke 13. At verse 18, Jesus asks, "What is the kingdom of God like?" "What shall I compare it to?"

It is as if Jesus realises that it is hard to get His Message across. It is hard to get through. Even Jesus Christ found that at times.

Think of what we have been looking at in this long section - Hypocrisy - Fear - Greed - Worry - be prepared and ready for Jesus' Coming again - how to get ready - settle these important issues now. Then some people try to sidetrack Jesus - what about other people? Some were more concerned about the deaths of others than their own. When you sweep through one short section in the Word of God, we see how we are dealing with such vital and highly relevant topics.

Then, in the synagogue, there was this crippled bent woman, who got straightened out. We also saw that elder in that synagogue - in that place of Worship - who did not want to get straightened out. He wasn't interested.

Jesus is asking - how can I get the message across to you? How can I get through? How can I explain to you what the kingdom of God is all about?

There is so much going on all around, and Jesus begins to answer His own question.

The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed - a single little insignificant seed - which a man took and planted in his garden - and it grew - it became a tree - and birds came and perched in its branches.

Jesus Christ is teaching us that the Kingdom of God is like one tiny insignificant seed, but in that seed there is such potential.

When that germinates - when that takes root - anything can happen. When that sprouts and grows and branches out - anything can happen. To begin with - a work of God may not be much to look at, but that seed can produce something amazing. It can produce a place where others can come and rest and nest, and find peace and safety and security and love and protection, just by perching on the branches.

When God begins to do something - the end is out of all proportion to its beginning.

Jesus Christ begins with a few men. Peter did not prove to be the most reliable in the opening moments. Paul and Barnabas set out from Antioch with one young man who turned back when the going appeared a bit rough.

Jesus was born in the most unusual circumstances, and for 30 years nothing dramatic and radical and shattering was seen - then one day - He walked onto the scene. The seed of God was sprouting.

Jesus chooses a few men - calls them to Himself - shares with them - teaches them - takes them to be with Him wherever He goes - not much to see. If you looked at them going around the Sea of Galilee - by the Lakeside - or walking in Jerusalem - hunted and criticised - you would not have been very impressed.

But within these men was this explosive potential - which one day - seven weeks after Jesus died and rose again - something happened to these called trained chosen ones. They were anointed with the Holy Spirit.

The world would never again be the same. The Kingdom of God was crashing through. Jesus never said that the world would come to believe, but that the Kingdom would have a mighty influence and affect upon the world.

Wherever you are – whatever you are doing – allow that seed to grow. Let these branches appear so that the weary and weak and tired may come and rest.

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

I See Dead People (Updated Version)