From Matthew 13:31-32 / Kingdom parable #3 holds the mystery of TRANSITION.

In this wonderfully simple parable, Jesus reveals a most wonderful aspect of His Kingdom: That it starts in one form, but will transition into something altogether different and magnificent from its humble beginnings.

Note first: The main point cannot be missed. The Kingdom will have but the smallest of beginnings in the earth. But one day it will reach its full bloom. It will weather its storms, survive its droughts, not be withered by blistering sun, nor be uprooted by violent winds. Christ’s Kingdom will reach maturity.

I weary of those who preach and teach in such a way as leave people in constant fear that if X, Y, or Z ministry is not properly supported – or worse yes, if A, B, or C political party is not sufficiently supported, the entire Kingdom of Christ is in peril of being eradicated from the earth.

Dear friend, this is for all intents and purposes a blasphemous slight against the purpose and person of Christ Himself. When He announced that He Himself would build His Church and that even the very gates of Hell would not prevail against it – one would think some modern pundits and “prophets” know better than the very Son of God. It is hubris at best and downright denial of His divinity at worst.

If anyone comes to you preaching the Kingdom in such a way that if you do not give a certain amount, vote a certain way, act in a prescribed manner – that the survival of Christ’s Kingdom is at stake – run from them as consummate liars. They cannot lead you into truth if they are so wrong about something so fundamental.

How many figures over the centuries have announced the soon demise of the Bible, the Church and Christianity as a whole?

Nero thought he could kill it.

Mao Zedong thought so too.

It was assumed Communist Russia would.

Philosophers and pundits still claim “in just one generation…!”

And we can either choose to believe Jesus, or them.

Beloved, Christ’s Church started small, but it will end as the Tree of Life over all the earth.

Do not think lightly when the Church seems weak and faltering. It is held by Christ.