Sermon - 2015-06-14

Whenever Jesus spoke to people, he always spoke in parables.  A parable is a story that contains a metaphor that relates to something far more complex.  However to his disciples, he would explain what the parables mean.  Have you ever stopped to think about this?  Why would Jesus speak to the crowds who came to see him, to understand more about God, in stories?  

To truly understand, we should stop and think about the people of the time of Jesus.  Most did not read but in order to learn, they would hear stories that conveyed  a message for them. They could remember the story and continue to think about it during the days of working in the fields or those routine jobs they would do over and over again.  The lessons and stories were something that they kept close to their heart, encouraged their family,  and share with friends so they could hear those lessons as well.  If the lessons and stories were not in their heart and mind, then they would not help to shape their life as a whole.

For some people, they regard these stories as old and not needed anymore.  However, when we look at our own modern society,  we see people sitting around at coffee sharing the stories of their life, the lessons learned, and the way they have grown up.  People post their stories, pictures, and lessons of their life on facebook, twitter, and other ways.  They want their friends and family to know and experience those lessons and events as well.  

We are a people who live in story and want to share those stories with others.  Jesus was using this form of telling stories and sharing with others so that the people who gathered would hear, remember, and continue to share them with others.

At this time of year, we bear witness to precisely what Jesus is talking about in the parable.  We have seen farmers and gardeners place seeds in the ground, trusting that God will take that seed and grow it into the food, flowers, or a life that it has the potential to be.  It begins as this small little stalk and rather quickly grows into supporting fruit and new life to enrich other’s lives.  This is something that we all long for, we all feel the need to be connected to this Earth.  To be planting, to be a part of the creation of new life that God is bringing forth into the world. It is something that we, as God’s creatures, enjoy.  No one has been able to top what God did in the first place.  Even science in all that it has discovered about God has not been able to create or design something better than God’s creation.   

In the same way, God is creating the Kingdom of Heaven.  It is something that we cannot control.  We do not decide who shall benefit, who shall be welcomed or how it shall be.  We simply know that it is to be in the presence of God.  It will be filled with grace, glory, and peace.  We know that we shall  be welcomed as children of God into that heavenly kingdom.  However, we are still in this Earthly life and surrounded by God’s beautiful creation. To care for it, to share it, and to share the gift of life with all whom we encounter.  And thanks be to God, we are able to do just this.  Amen.