Are You A Catalyst For The Revelation Of The Kingdom Of God?
Good Morning Friends,
Today we have the story of how big things come in small packages…we explore the way of kingdom growth and the wonder of how things that are not normally seen can change the world. However perhaps you have seen God at work and maybe you have been satisfied and maybe disappointed. But there is a deeper question than what the glowing promise of the Kingdom of God is like and what we will experience of it. We all have different hopes and fears so our image of God responding to them is very different, but at some point, there needs to be a collective response. Are You A Catalyst For The Revelation Of The Kingdom Of God?
Scripture: He put before them another parable: “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.” He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 (NRSV)
Message: In today’s parables, Jesus is announcing that the Kingdom of God has come into the world and is summoning people to that Kingdom.
We pray for it when we share the Lord’s prayer and marvel at it when we get glimpses of it but find it difficult to grasp. It is such an elusive thing and few agree on exactly what it means for some of it is old and some of it is very new. We have different expectations and doubts. The Bible is filled with stories of captivity and exodus and partial restoration of Kingdoms in development. It has not exactly been a series of successes. There is so much failure of the people of God attempting through belief and practice to solidify the hope of the consummation of God’s purpose in the establishment of his Kingdom. Its existence frightens some people. However, today’s parables of Jesus give us an answer to how we are supposed to respond. And it begins with us acknowledging who we think Christ is and what he came to do and what we are called to do in response. Sure, most of the time we will end up being unprofitable servants but not always if we keep trying. In today’s scripture Jesus in giving us guidance about the Kingdom by connecting all the dots of the prophets with the law revealed in his life as a creation of something new but also honoring what is old. And it is this new thing, as part of a new covenant, sparked by the Holy Spirit that births the Church and its function until Jesus returns. Perhaps that is why finding the Kingdom is like finding a treasure buried in a field. We are surprised by the meaning hidden beneath the surface. And as we discover and uncover it, it produces delight in the reality that scripture has been fulfilled in Christ but if blessed can be a catalyst for its growth in our sowing of seeds as well. Still we wonder what kind of Kingdom is it that the Messiah has set up and to what remnant it will be given. Some things will be thrown away. Some things will survive the test of time. But what we do know is that the Kingdom cannot be separated from the King. Thankfully we have been invited to join in the joy of it all. So, when you sense it realize that it is priceless.
Pray we acknowledge Jesus as Lord. Pray we realize that the Kingdom of God’s power has already been released in the world and from its tiny beginnings a new age has dawned for those called to God’s purpose. Pray we realize that if we too sow a field with seed we can set in motion forces which one day will inevitably produce a harvest. Pray we are heirs to the promise. Pray we seek and find the treasure of Jesus. Pray we understand that we must still walk in faith. Pray we seek victory but not be discouraged it is not fully accomplished in our lifetime. Pray we face without fear the will of God for us and realize that the Kingdom of God is connected to the power and glory of the Spirit of Christ in us. Pray that the joy of the Kingdom becomes a priority in our lives. Pray our hopes are realized. Pray our fears relieved. Pray we delight in the discovery of the Kingdom of Love that exist beyond time.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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