Matthew 13:33-35
He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough." Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world."
In the parable of yeast, the kingdom of heaven is not testimony that will not change. It keeps expanding on earth. At the beginning, it is very small, like yeast hidden in three measures of flour. The Lord gave the commission of spreading the kingdom of heaven to those who are humble. They rely not on their own talents and powers, but the power of the Holy Spirit to spread the gospel for the Lord. Wherever they go, they bring changes. In the Book of Acts, people even accused apostles of bringing changes to the world. This is the commission that the kingdom of heaven has given us. The expansion of the kingdom of heaven is not limited to spreading of gospels, but also bringing righteousness and justice of the kingdom of God to this evil world. When the world is full of injustices, we can't solely rely on social reforms to solve problems because people can never get rid of selfishness. This or that reform merely produced classes with special privileges. A real equal and just society can only be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
When the gospel was spreaded to Mainland China, the change it brought were not only spiritual, but also civil and culture, e.g. liberation of bonding feet of women, science education, movement to forbid opium, establishment of hospitals, and establishment of newspaper. These were all changes that brought into Chinese society by the spreading of gospels. When we think of the expansion of the kingdom of heaven, we need to realize that we have to fight at many fronts. Like a military campaign where army, navy and airforce are all coordinated, we need to expand the kingdom of heaven in every facet. We need not only full time pastors, missionaries, but also people from all walks of life, to put on the cloth of gospel, and to spread the gospel in places of work.
Have you ever thought about how your skills can be used for the kingdom of God? The main purpose that God let us stay on Earth is to expand the kingdom of heaven through us until Jesus returns. What kind of role are we playing in the expansion of the kingdom of heaven? May God help us - Even though the kingdom of heaven is like a yeast, one day it will grow such that the whole world will see our Lord and millions will be drawn and turn to Him! Pray with Pastor Tong 
Lord, we thank you, because the expansion of kingdom of heaven will never cease, and it will be realized through us. Even though we are weak and not worthy, You willingly selected us such that we can be part of building your glorious kingdom. May You add to our faith and strength. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen! |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.