Thought For The Week 30 July 2023

Welcome to our services today. I am looking forward to hearing Luke Blackbeard’s take on the parables in today’s reading from Matthew’s gospel. This is a challenge for any preacher as the reading selects 4    examples of what the kingdom of God is like; mustard seed, yeast,  treasure buried in a field and a pearl of great value.

The subject of the kingdom (or God’s reign) is sufficiently complex that no one parable can capture it. Hence we have several parables presented to explain it to us. The first 2 speak of growth and ordinariness. The mustard plant is like a weed but this time Jesus uses a weed in a positive sense- it grows wherever it likes and is ubiquitous. It also provides a home and shelter for others. The yeast in the loaf is in contrast to the familiar unleavened holy bread used in worship in the temple. This perhaps speaks to the nourishing aspects of living under God’s reign, the one who promises to provide our daily bread.

But then, in the next breath, the kingdom is likened to anything but ordinary things; a treasure discovered and a valuable pearl. In both cases the kingdom is worth selling everything in order to obtain it. Everything we think of as valuable pales in comparison to living under the blessings of God. The ever-present challenge for us in a world that seeks to draw us away from God is to keep him in the centre of our lives. This is the place where true joy and peace are found.

Blessings,

Brent