To read: Luke 13:18-21
New Revised Standard Version Bible,[Jesus] said therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches." And again he said, "To what should I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."
copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
To think about:
No
matter what kind of tree grows from a seed, all seeds start out small, even minuscule, in comparison to the end product. In this tiny package, there is the potential for enormous growth and sharing. A tree is a neighborhood that shares of itself for the betterment of its residents. As the tree grows, it begins to shade those in need of coolness and/or dark. A tree provides leaves and branches that can be returned to the soil for food for little creatures that return the favor by leaving mulch behind to improve the soil the tree grows in. Trees provide parking places for some as they rest on a journey, and for many, trees provide space to build a home and raise their babies. Yes, the birds and other tree residents provide meals for other predators, and so on up the food chain, each returning to the soil, somewhere along the way, that which also nurtures.
The seed for the kingdom of God is so small and is nurtured by the gift of Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension. The gift is freely given for us and to us. When we are baptized, it is springtime for that seed within us and the kingdom begins to grow. It takes nurturing and love. It also takes sharing and caring, for no one of us can live in the kingdom of God alone.
The trees of our planet have limited time on this earth. and so do our human bodies. During that time, we are expected to grow deeper roots in the soil of faith and stronger branches of support for others, to share and care and to have others share and care for us. There is a "me" side to this. One is expected to take good care of the gift of one's own body so that we can share and care and receive care. Yet not all trees grow in good conditions. There is drought, danger, abuse, neglect, brutality, lack of nourishment, overindulgence, hoarding, terror, isolation, and other menaces that do not encourage growth.
Yet within all is that little seed of faith, forgiveness and grace planted by God. We struggle to grow, to survive in a world that is not yet the kingdom of God on earth. Upon our physical death, God welcomes us to the kingdom we have been striving for. In this kingdom, God is like the bread maker. We are the grains of flour, all different yet alike in our love of God and in the forgiveness gifted to us. God is the yeast that joins us together in one kingdom, where we will "rise" beyond our expectations and no one is less than another.
To pray:
God of grace and peace, we pray for those who struggle in great adversity, for children with little or no food, for parents with no means to feed and clothe their families, for women and children who are abused and treated as though they are worth less than a speck of dirt, for men who would rather be with their families but are trapped in cycles of war and poverty. We pray for those who need decent health care and good schooling. We pray that we, as Christians, are the kind of "trees" who do indeed have birds building nests in our branches. Amen.
Northern Great Lakes Synod Council member
First Lutheran Church, Ewen, Mich., and Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Paynesville, Mich.