April 26


When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. Matthew 13:19


The ‘word of the kingdom’ is not mere information, nor is it merely nice or comforting words. There are many reassuring and beautiful thoughts that bless and edify us. But the word of the kingdom is the word of death and resurrection. As such, it is an all-or-nothing word, since no-one can die and rise again in stages! This seed cannot therefore grow alongside other things, nor can it bear fruit if it lies on the surface of our life. It is a word that must lay hold of the person who hears it. There will be tribulation and persecution for the sake of this word, though there will be little persecution for the sake of beautiful religious thoughts. It is for this reason that we must understand and then nourish this word in our hearts, allowing it to be the principle and power by which we live – namely that we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection as the mainspring of our lives. Bring your life into line daily with the word of the kingdom and see the power of the word fulfil itself in you.