Contemplating the Kingdom of Heaven

[Jesus] 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 13:31-52 NRSV)


To understand the images in these parables almost requires that we think like first-century Israelites; that we know what they knew...

First the mustard seed and the ‘tree’ it produces: we shouldn’t be mislead by Jesus referring to the mustard plant as a tree – for it never grew to more than a shrub. An annual at that, which would wither and die at the end of the growing season. Those listening to Jesus might have been quite surprised that he would refer to a mustard plant as a tree. The importance of this image is not that a great tree like a mighty oak grew from this tiny seed, but the realization that the kingdom of heaven might not be any more obvious than a garden plant, yet the kingdom will come in God’s power and glory nevertheless!

Then the yeast – not the sanitized powder we know that comes from a packet purchased at the grocery store – but smelly, often moldy, fermenting left-over dough like a sourdough starter – this yeast was a symbol of corruption, something to be avoided by the Jews. Bread which was used in the temple at that time was unleavened – made without the corruption of such leaven. The woman in this text places her leaven in a large quantity of flour – as though she was planning to prepare bread for many, many people – yet the text does not say that she actually finished making that bread. Instead, the yeast is still at work to leaven the flour. In the same way, the kingdom is present now, hidden and working by unexpected and even scandalous means. It is recognized by only a few people, although it will be revealed to everyone in the future.

Both of these images tell something about the kingdom itself. The next two show us two very different ways of discovering it. The hidden treasure is found in a field – probably by someone plowing, intent on doing his regular work, who was not expecting anything special or unusual. He experienced great joy at finding this amazing treasure – and rushed off to do something about it, to claim it for himself.

In contrast, the pearl of great value is found by a merchant who has been searching long and hard for it. He knows what he is looking for, and yet he is still surprised when he finds it! But he too, is willing to give up everything else in order to buy this one pearl.

Isn’t it true that we know some people who are just living their lives, walking and working and not aware of anything missing in their lives? And they are joyfully amazed to discover God – as if he had not been there all along. We know other people who are clearly searching for something – for meaning and purpose, for love and a sense of belonging – who are equally surprised to discover that God is there for them, too. Whether we are surprised at our daily work or as a result of a search, these two images describe the response to the discovery of God! For neither the farmer plowing nor the merchant simply returns to their usual way of life after this tremendous discovery. Instead, they give up all that they have; change everything in their lives; in order to claim the treasure.

Jesus uses another image in this text - fish nets. These are often mentioned in the gospels – James and John were mending their nets when Jesus calls them to become disciples (Mark 1), Peter casts out his nets again when the risen Christ instructs him to and brings in a tremendous catch of fish (John 21). But this time, the parable says the net brings in fish of every kind. Only later are the bad ones sorted out from the good.

Jesus asked the disciples “Have you understood all this?” and they answered “Yes.” From the apostles, who often don’t seem to get it – there seems to be complete understanding on this subject! So do we get it?

I won’t claim to have complete understanding of the kingdom of God, but I do have a better understanding after spending time this week with this text (and a whole stack of commentaries!)
I have learned that the kingdom of heaven is revealed - in God’s own perfect time:

+ from the small and insignificant – like a mustard seed and the bush that grows from it;

+ from something regarded as unlikely or unclean – like the fermented leaven;

+ from the unexpected discovery – like the treasure found when we aren’t even looking;

+ from the hidden which has long been searched for – like the pearl of great value ;

+ from the nets full of every kind of fish – both good and evil; to be sorted later.

Tiny seeds, baking leaven, unlikely treasure, a single incredible pearl, fish nets full of fish…

Yes - we can understand this! We too are like the masters of a household who know where our treasure is. We can recall the stories of all that God has already done, marvel at what God is doing now, and trust in what God promises yet to do. You see, these images all point clearly to God's action in the world through Jesus Christ our Savior:

+ Jesus, born as a tiny, apparently insignificant baby in Bethlehem.

+ Jesus, who died a criminal’s death on a cross.

+ Jesus, who was raised to eternal life.

+ Jesus, who ascended to the right hand of God.

+ Jesus, who will come again to judge.

These images do reveal to us what the kingdom of heaven is truly like … new and old treasure indeed!

God's Timing

So much has been happening so fast that I hardly know where to begin! First, I want to publically announce my excitement that Beth Wrenn from North Carolina has been elected president of the Churchwide Women of the ELCA! Beth is a dear friend and sister in Christ – I have served with her in the past on the North Carolina Women of the ELCA synodical board- and she has been very supportive as Ray and I have travelled this seminary journey. I am confident that she will do a superb job of leading the women’s organization through the next triennium!

Second, I am pleased to report that our call process is continuing to unfold. We met with the congregational council last week and they voted to recommend us to the congregation. We will be meeting with members of the congregation next week and they will be voting on whether or not to call us as their next pastors on Sunday, July 27. We are grateful that the process is proceeding on this path and pray for God’s guidance for the entire congregation and for both of us as this process draws nearer to completion.

Now for more on the topic of God's timing...

I remember – what seems like not so very long ago - telling Ray that I wished I could take a summer off from my business career: to stay home, spend more time with the kids, float in our backyard pool, read, garden a bit, tend the roses, knit, and just relax. It really does seem like a short time ago, but it was probably when our children were 8 and 11. They are now 28 and 31, so quite some time has passed since then!

As you might guess, I never got that long-ago summer off, but we have in many ways had most of this summer of transition “off”! Getting my summer off now includes having time for many of those same things – but now the time at home is spent preparing it to go on the market. Time with my children is spent helping our son and his wife with their daughter and newborn twin sons or helping our daughter plan and prepare for her September wedding.

We no longer have a backyard pool, but I still have plenty of reading to do. The garden consists of two tomato plants and a few flowers in pots that we can move when the time comes. The roses we tend are in the memorial garden on the seminary campus instead of our own backyard. I’ve been knitting and catching up on some sleep, but still not really relaxing.

I’m not sure exactly what all this says about God’s timing – apparently I didn’t need that long ago summer off as much as I thought. And apparently I did need this one to transition between life as a student and life as a parish pastor. Yet it seems that instead of savoring my summer off, I find myself looking forward – trying to imagine and prepare for the next step in our journey. Honestly, I probably would have done much the same thing twenty years ago.

Many of us are familiar with the words of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NRSV) beginning: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." The verses that follow are ones that we can probably all sing along to a familiar tune.

But now I find myself pondering some other verses in that same chapter. As I read these, I am reminded that it is important for each of us to have things to do, but that we should not forget what God has already done, is doing, and promises yet to do!

"I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; moreover, it is God's gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil. I know that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this, so that all should stand in awe before him." (Ecclesiastes 3:10-14, NRSV)

More side trips

Last Sunday, I preached at a lovely country church outside of Guyton, Georgia. Ray and I took advantage of the necessary trip from Columbia to the Savannah area to spend a day or two away from home, relaxing. We had been to Savannah before, so we weren’t sure we wanted to spend much time in the city. Instead, we found a few places to visit that we hadn’t been before.

On Sunday afternoon, we went to Jerusalem Lutheran Church and the museum at New Ebenezer. For those who haven’t had the benefit of a course on the history of Lutheranism in North America at seminary, this was the home of the Salzburgers. These German Lutherans were refugees from their homeland, exiled out by their Catholic ruler, who became very early settlers in Georgia, with the first arriving in Savannah in 1734. The beautiful and amazingly bright and spacious brick church these settlers built near the banks of the Savannah River, in the 1760’s is still in use today. There is an active historical society which will help anyone who may be descendents of this historic colony to track their ancestry. There is also a family retreat center located nearby – all well worth a sidetrip for any history buffs, especially Lutheran ones!



We spent Monday exploring two historic forts in the area: Fort Jackson, on the bank of the Savannah River, near the city; and Fort Pulaski, on Cockspur Island, where the Savannah River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Built as part of the early coastal defense of the United States, both of these brick forts saw action during the Civil War.


We also ate lunch at a prime tourist spot which we saw on our way toward Fort Pulaski – Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House. Only after we were inside did we realize that this is owned by TV chef Paula Deen and her brother, Bubba. Great seafood, in a casual atmosphere, but a bit pricey even at lunch – it was our splurge for the trip. We had each had seafood salads and gumbo or crab stew, and shared a piece of incredible key lime pie.

Tuesday, on our way back to Columbia, we stopped to visit the rose gardens at Edisto Memorial Gardens. This park is located near the Edisto River in Orangeburg.
The rose gardens contain an overwhelming array of different varieties, from minis to tree roses; floribundas to hybrid teas – in every possible color. We really enjoyed our time there and picked out a few we would like to have in our own rose garden in the future.

I can’t help but wonder now that we are home from that sidetrip on our journey. We read in Exodus that the Israelites murmured as they wandered in the wilderness from Egypt to the Promised Land. Did they also enjoy some sidetrips and appreciate the scenery along the way?