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SERMON PREACHED ON PENTECOST 10, 7.24.5 [Matthew 31:31033, 44-52] Jesus’ audience was very diverse, people coming from all walks of life to hear him speak, so his images of the kingdom of heaven had to take many forms. Imagine the challenge of preaching a sermon that might mean something to each one of you, knowing the differences between all of you here: different ages, coming from different parts of the country, different religious traditions, diverse understanding of the Bible, of life, facing diverse problems. Jesus taught in parables, but not every parable could connect with every person. In today’s gospel Matthew has Jesus giving one example after another, omitting the conversation in between. If we had the full script, I imagine Jesus’ words today would go something like this: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. . . the smallest of all seeds, but when it’s grown it’s the greatest of shrubs. . ." "I live in the city. I’ve never even seen a mustard seed!" What are you talking about? "O.K. . . let’s try this one: The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took. . . until it leavened the whole loaf." "That’s women’s work! What do we men have to do with that - I never touch the stuff." Different images for different people as Jesus tried to explain one idea: in the kingdom of heaven small efforts become large. If Jesus was telling a parable in our day he might compare the amazing differentials of atomic energy: 100 pounds of uranium or plutonium can release energy equivalent to 20,000 tons of TNT, and a fusion bomb — hydrogen — can release the power of five to seven million tons of TNT. Translate that into spiritual terms: in the kingdom of heaven the smallest act is transformed into magnificent proportions. But you do have to get the fusion material. Like the old joke about the man in financial trouble who prays to God, "If I can only win the lottery." He prays that for 3 weeks without anything happening. Finally a voice comes from heaven: "Will you please buy a ticket?!" In our case the ticket, the fusion, combines time, talent, and treasure — but imagine how the caring, healing energy is multiplied, magnified by the Spirit!! The crazy part is that God can’t do it alone. God has a million gifts to give, but a million times nothing is nothing! Jesus was teaching that the kingdom of heaven is way out of proportion to the effort we put into it, way out of proportion to our gifts - like those "matching grants" we hear about on public television. Like a magnifying lenses, the Spirit magnifies your gifts. No matter how insignificant you feel, how small you think your gift is, it is - you are - crucial to the kingdom! Mustard seeds grow into trees, a tiny bit of yeast leavens the entire loaf. Crucial, please note: in each parable today, the kingdom of heaven is something you experience here, now, not after you die! The kingdom of heaven is not after-life! When any religion thinks heaven is after you die, responsibility for how you live diminishes, along with the lives of other people. In your concept of the Kingdom of Heaven there’s a significant difference between "going there" and already "being there." That’s where terrorists miss the point — regardless of what religion they come from. Killing and maiming people in the name of God is a self-righteous non sequitor no matter how righteous the cause! I hope we keep learning that the ends never justify the means. Your own understanding about the kingdom of heaven will tell a lot about you, how you live, your values, how you give, some from old treasures, some from new discoveries. The "Feeding of the Five thousand" is a kind of living parable to express the multiplication of possibilities regardless of the amount offered: five loaves and 2 small fish from a small boy — possible when you’re in the kingdom of heaven! But Jesus can’t stop there. He has to tell them how amazing, valuable, and important the kingdom really is. "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. And 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." Both parables point to the supreme importance of sharing in the kingdom of heaven, so important that - in comparison - every other value has to be subjugated.* We’re not talking about an organization, a denomination, a particular parish. We’re talking about the kingdom of heaven! Not getting there, but being that kingdom on earth. Remember? "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." Then comes, "give us this day our daily bread" — what we need to live; then comes "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive" — how we relate to people; then "lead us not into temptation, deliver us from evil" — the integrity in which we live. God’s kingdom is the context for everything. Every service, every sermon here is an invitation to enter the kingdom of heaven not by becoming holier-then-thou or pious, not by leaving earthly passions, possessions or responsibilities, but by becoming real, becoming intentional in your living, your giving, your loving, bringing the kingdom of heaven into every situation where you are, inviting everyone you meet into that atmosphere of love — into the realm of God’s grace, not in churchy words, not trying to convert, but an attractive invitation by your spirit and manner toward people, your transparent honesty, your compassionate caring, your fun and joy in life. No matter what their background or experience, people feel when the kingdom of heaven draws near, they see it happening: tiny seeds becoming trees, yeast transforming, seeing value in people and in the awesomeness of creation, seeing a great treasure worth more than any thing.
Copyright: Ernest W. Cockrell 7.24.5 * idea from page 626, The Interpreters One-Volume Commentary on the Bible, Abingdon Press.
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