“”SPARK-IT”

July 27, 2014 7th of Pentecost
Matthew 13:31-33; 44-46  (The Message)

31 Another story. "God's kingdom is like a pine nut that a farmer plants. 32 It is quite small as seeds go, but in the course of years it grows into a huge pine tree, and eagles build nests in it." 33 Another story. "God's kingdom is like yeast that a woman works into the dough for dozens of loaves of barley bread - and waits while the dough rises."

44 "God's kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic - what a find! - and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field. 45 "Or, God's kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for excellent pearls. 46 Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it.

God’s Kingdom is too big a concept to grasp with logic.  It has to be discovered in a story, a parable.  A parable is a story you can’t get unless it first gets you.  It is a story designed to “pull another story out of the listener”.  The end result is that “more happens in the mind of the listener than in the mouth of the teller.”

Our parables today tell us that the Kingdom of God starts small and becomes big, like a seed..  It only takes a little to make a big difference, like yeast.  It may be found accidentally or after a long hunt, like a hidden treasure or an excellent pearl, but once it is found it demands a total response, with great joy and anticipation.  Indeed, God’s Kingdom is priceless!
There are not enough words to say all that an be said about it  Yet one word captures it best - grace.  It is a Kingdom of amazing grace!

The parables of Jesus are about
 "a passionately, desperately,
 insanely forgiving God."
             
Andrew Greeley

Painting “Gift of Grace”
by Ravae Luckhart






Prayer thoughts for the week:

Your kingdom come on earth…
 to me…
    through me…
      in spite of me…
        for all…
in your dazzling grace and endless love.
Open my eyes and heart to get a glimpse of it in human form.

‘’…for not with swords loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums,
but deeds of love and mercy the heavenly kingdom comes.”
Lead On, O King Eternal