Matthew 13:31-43  Jesus gives two more brief pictures of the Kingdom and then goes back to explain the wheat and tares.  

"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed... smaller than all other seeds; but when full grown, it is larger than the garden plants, and becomes a tree... "  According to the Bible Knowledge commentary a mustard plant can grow to be 12-15 feet tall in one growing season..allowing it to be a place that birds can nest. It starts small, grows quickly, and provides well. 

"The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three pecks of meal, until it was all leavened."  In this case, the focus is on the way that leaven.. or yeast.. permeates thoroughly and changes the substance it is worked into.  There is growth that cannot be stopped once it is started. 

Both of these examples reveal truth about God's Kingdom. The Kingdom comes subtly and steadily. It grows according to God's will.   We receive the "seed".. the Word.. and once it is planted in us.. it will grow.  The Kingdom permeates our lives and it permeates the world around us through our lives lived out for our King.   

As the "good seed", planted by our Savior, we have a future and a purpose.  Ultimately, that purpose will be to "Shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of [our] Father." 

But.. the "stumbling blocks and those who commit lawlessness.."  the "tares" who are "sons of the evil one".. these will be "cast. .into the furnace of fire; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."  I find that these are the most heart-breaking words when I think of those who are lost.. loved ones, neighbors.. and even those who are spouting out their foolish ideas and beliefs around our country these days... O God, have mercy!

The period of time between the first advent of Christ and the second, which is to come.. is the age of decision for all of mankind.  We need  ears to hear the Word of Christ... to receive the invitation to come into His realm.. to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.   Jesus spoke parables to "utter things hidden since the foundation of the world." (v35)  These truths are what our world desperately need!

Father in heaven,  help us to speak up.. to proclaim the Good News of Your Kingdom.. to plant seeds of Truth into the hearts of those we come across every day. Send forth workers into Your harvest field.. to bring the lost ones into Your Kingdom.  Father, I pray for the rebellious and lost.. and hard-hearted ones in my own family. Please bring them to know Jesus Christ!  Open their ears to hear and their hearts to receive the Truth.  I plead with You for their salvation, in the Name of Jesus, my Lord and King. Amen.