The crowd was thinking, “We are God’s kingdom. Israel is God’s kingdom. The Messiah by the power of God’s hand will fight for God’s kingdom.”
Jesus knew their thoughts. So he asked them questions. He taught them parables. “What is the kingdom of God like?”
“It is like a mighty kingdom getting all kinds of tribute from other nations so that no one in Israel will be oppressed nor need to work,” they answered him in their heart.
Jesus continued asking them questions. He wanted them to consider something else. “What shall I compare it to?”
“Oh no. Here comes another one of his parables which we don’t understand.” Most in the crowd silently moaned.
Jesus taught them about a mustard seed which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree and the birds of the air perched in its branches.
“Israel is small, but with God fighting for us we will grow to encompass the world, bigger than Rome,” some uttered. “But why would he let others dwell in our kingdom?”
Jesus knew those on the outside did not understand because their hearts were closed to God. To those who put their faith in him, he told another parable, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
By this Jesus meant that God’s kingdom does not destroy other nations. God’s kingdom changes other nations. Together they become a new creation much better than the former.
