Luke 13:18-35

"What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?” (v18).  Jesus knew that humans misunderstand the concept of God’s kingdom.  We think God approves of us when we are rich, important, beautiful, or belong to the right group.  But Jesus said God’s kingdom is like the mustard seed, tiny and unimpressive until it grows into a spectacular tree.  He said that being Jewish (the right group) wasn’t enough; people from “east and west and north and south” will enter because of their faith.

We can’t “get into” God’s kingdom.  We can only accept our adoption as grateful children.