What God's Kingdom is Like

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed

that someone took and sowed in his field;

it is the smallest of all the seeds,

but when it has grown

it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree

so that the birds of the air

 come and make nests in its branches.”

Two years ago, I planted several Peony bulbs.

The following Spring when one shoot sprung forth, I was delighted and feeling a sense of satisfaction.

I waited for other bulbs to send a shoot forth, but they were operating on their own time-frame. 

I waited patiently for any shoot to produce a bud which produced a flower.

This is year two and I wonder which will come first, a flower or the Apocalypse?

 

Reflecting on Jesus' parable of the mustard seed, I see a description of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus stresses the seed grows into something majestic and unimaginable becoming a sign of God's Kingdom.

For me, it's not the plant's size or growing into a shrub and then a 60' tree, but the kingdom-like qualities.

Healing is one quality of a mustard seed.

In Jesus day mustard was considered an antiseptic for treating for scorpion stings and curing toothaches.

Nutritious Food is also a quality of the mustard plant.

The mustard plants' berries may be eaten dried or fresh and are very nutritious being high in fiber and vitamins.

Surprise also describes God's kingdom.

When Jesus talked about the seed becoming a shrub and then a tree, it probably surprised people since the seed rarely produces a tree or shrub.

Shelter is another description for God's kingdom.

The listeners knew birds seldom, if ever, nested in mustard shrubs or trees, but they knew of trees hosting birds in passages like Ezekiel 31:6 and Daniel 4:12, where the image symbolizes God's Kingdom.

For me, when Jesus describes God's Kingdom, he is saying it's an amazing place of healing for tired, sin-sick souls, being fed bread from heaven, and a miraculous shelter.

Jesus is deliberately describing the Kingdom of God as an astonishing, extraordinary place of hope where God is present and active among us.   

Think about it: When or where have you seen a small seed of faith magnified into something greater?

A Story of Deliverance

"For great is your steadfast love toward me;

 you have delivered my soul

 from the depths of Sheol."

(from Psalm 86:11-17)

On June 23, 2018, a junior association soccer team chose to explore Tham Luang Nang Non, a karstic cave with complex deep recesses, narrow passages and tunnels.

Twelve members of the team aged 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old assistant coach went missing after setting out to explore the cave after a practice session.

Shortly after they entering the cave, team was stranded in the tunnels by sudden and continuous monsoon rains partially flooding the cave system, blocking their way out and trapping them deep within.

They were stranded and out of contract for over a week since all rescue attempts to locate the group were hampered by rising water and strong currents.

Rescue efforts grew into a massive operation amid intense worldwide public interest which involved international rescue teams involving nearly 10,000 people.

Between July 8 and 10, all 12 boys and their coach were rescued from the cave by an international team.

This is a story of how God works. 

The human story and biblical narrative tell us that when we unintentionally wander into unfamiliar places, get lost, and require rescue, God knows our need for deliverance.

One form of deliverance comes through Jesus Christ who claims to be “the way, the truth, and the life."

The psalmist can call boldly to God, confident both of God’s will and of God’s power to deliver from the depths of Sheol, darkness.

Like the psalmist, I am confident that God's will and power will deliver us from whatever darkness we find around us, be it a personal crisis, social injustice, or natural calamity. 

Even in these darknesses, we are all able to confidently sing praises to the Lord for t deliverance stories around us.

Think about it: What were the circumstances that brought about your deepest spiritual need and God's deliverance? 

The Inspiring Word of the Lord

"For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace;

the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song,

and all the trees of the field shall clap their hand"

(from Isaiah 55:10-13)

Vermont is experiencing a catastrophic flooding event.

As my District Superintendent described it, "the rain falls and the flood waters rise".

Barre, where I lived, and Montpelier, were inundated with rain causing the flooding and covering streets with mud.

Montpelier, for a time, evacuated residents, two of whom I know.

Montpelier cancelled a boil water order  due to contaminants and closed the main streets.

Small towns, such as Weston and Londonderry, were flooded and temporarily isolated.

Roads and bridges have been washed away including the historic Queechy covered bridge

Reflecting on the impact of this catastrophic event, two thoughts occurred to me.

First, there is an economic consequence to local businesses and the towns and cities as they attempt to recover.

The costs will be astronomical.

Second, there is a spiritual impact as people cope with the upheaval. 

Feelings such as grief over lost possessions, confusion about what's next, questions about restoring life a new normal instead of the former things.

Imagine the emotions of the 96 year old woman who lost everything.

Putting things in proper perspective, the words from Isaiah are about the Word of the Lord accomplishing what it is intended to do.

God’s Word gives life.

God's Word is intended to give life and accomplishes it, because as Isaiah says God’s Word that does not return empty.

Israel needs to hear this because of the Exile, Babylonian captivity, homeland invasion, and Temple's destruction.

God's Word restores hope which inspires praise.

God's Word gives life and restores hope even as Vermont experiences catastrophic flooding.

In our own lives, when we experience a catastrophe, an upheaval, or a soul-sickness, God's Word restores hope and inspires praise. 

Perhaps as we imagine returning to dry lands, mountains and hills bursting into song, trees clapping hands, we will experience new life from the Word of the Lord. 

Think about it: how does the Word of the Lord inspire you in difficult times?

The Assurance of Sabbath Rest

"Come to me, all you that are weary 

and are carrying heavy burdens,

and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

(from Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30)

The evening news stresses my soul.

I watch the 6 O'clock news and the 8-10 O'clock analysis and commentary of major events including on-location of the Ukraine War.

It's possible to disconnect from the evening news by pushing a remote button and watching "Jeopardy".

For me, that's irresponsible discipleship because I would also be disconnecting from those weary and carrying heavy burdens such as the traffic director on a road crew in the summer heat or the undocumented worker in a Florida citrus grove.

After all, Jesus taught the disciples, the weary ones were the sick and the lame, the lepers and demon-possessed, the tax collectors and sinners, the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, and the persecuted.

Ordinary folk labored wearily under the weight of their low social position within the Roman society based on secure wealth, status, and power at their expense. 

"Take my yoke upon you," Jesus says, and you will find rest.

Jesus' invitation is an assurance for the ordinary folk laboring wearily to find rest for their souls.

For Jesus, rest was an image of salvation, of what the world will finally look like with God’s purposes enjoying complete Sabbath.

Under Roman occupation, yokes were laid on the necks and shoulders of oxen, prisoners of war, and slaves.

Jesus is offering a liberating yoke: the assurance his teaching and way of discipleship, are life-giving, not oppressive.

Taking up Jesus' yoke is joining God’s kingdom of justice, mercy, and compassion breaking into this world, and finding the sabbath rest for which the soul longs.

Life yoked to Jesus under God’s grace and mercy, frees the burden of sin and the need to prove oneself.

The assurance of the Sabbath is resting deeply and securely in God’s grace.

Think about it: What is truly restful? What spiritual practices help you put down your burdens?