What Is God's Kingdom Like?

¹⁸Then Jesus said, "What is God's kingdom like? What can I compare it with? ¹⁹God's kingdom is like the seed of the mustard plant.* A person plants this seed in his garden. The seed grows and becomes a tree. The birds build nests on its branches." ²⁰Jesus said again, "What can I compare God's kingdom with? ²¹It is like yeast* that a woman mixes into a big bowl of flour to make bread. The yeast makes all the dough (bread) rise."

The Narrow Door

²²Jesus was teaching in every town and village. He continued to travel toward Jerusalem. ²³Someone said to Jesus, "Lord, how many people will be saved? Only a few?" Jesus said, ²⁴"Try hard to enter through the narrow door [that opens the way to heaven]! Many people will try to enter there, but they will not be able to enter. ²⁵If a man locks the door of his house, then you can stand outside and knock on the door, but he won't open it. You can say, 'Sir, open the door for us!' But the man will answer, 'I don't know you! Where did you come from?' ²⁶Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you. You taught in the streets of our town.' ²⁷Then he will say to you, 'I don't know you! Where did you come from? Go away from me! You are all people that do wrong!' ²⁸You will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,* and all the prophets* in God's kingdom. But you will be left outside. Then you will scream with fear and anger. ²⁹People will come from the east, west, north, and south. They will sit down at the table in the kingdom of God. ³⁰People that have the lowest place in life now will have the highest place in God's kingdom. And people that have the highest place now will have the lowest place in God's kingdom."

Jesus Will Die in Jerusalem

³¹At that time some Pharisees* came to Jesus and said, "Go away from here and hide! Herod* wants to kill you!" ³²Jesus said to them, "Go tell that fox* (Herod), 'Today and tomorrow I am forcing demons* out of people and finishing my work of healing. Then, the next day, the work will be finished.' ³³After that, I must go, because all prophets* should die in Jerusalem. ³⁴"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets.* You kill with rocks those men that God has sent you. Many, many times I wanted to help your people. I wanted to gather your people together like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you did not let me. ³⁵Now your home will be left completely empty. I tell you, you will not see me again until that time when you will say, 'Welcome! God bless the One that comes in the name of the Lord (God).'*"

mustard plant A plant that grows taller than a man, but has a very, very small seed. yeast Used here as a symbol of good influence. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob Three of the most important Jewish leaders during the time of the Old Testament. prophets People that spoke for God. Pharisees The Pharisees were a Jewish religious group that claimed to follow carefully all Jewish laws and customs. Herod Herod Antipas, Tetrarch (ruler) of Galilee and Perea, son of Herod the Great. fox Jesus means Herod is clever and sly like a fox. demon(s) Demons are evil spirits from the devil. 'Welcome! ... Lord' Quote from Ps. 118:26.