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| (Updated 06/11/2009)
Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:31-33,44-52
Please read the text before the sermon.
Sermon
We heard in today’s Gospel reading five parables. In these short stories Jesus explains to his followers and to all of us here today what is the kingdom of heaven like.
FIRST PARABLE
The first parable is the one of a mustard seed. When I started seminary I was asked by one of my professors: “What is Christianity about? What can we offer that this world can’t?” I thought for a while and said: “Love, helping others, good and moral life?” My professor shook his head; all these things can be done by non-believers. And then he said: “The difference is in Jesus’ victory over death. That is the message which makes all the difference.”
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Can you see the difference? Jesus says: “My kingdom here on earth might seem small like a mustard seed for your journey in it won’t be a journey of glory, fame and wealth. Instead it will be a journey of service, sacrifice, denial and there will be a lot of falls along the way.
But at the same time Jesus gives us the promise that he will always be there with us; that he’ll carry us through the worse times and he’ll give us peace and strength in difficult situations. Jesus gives us the promise that there is nothing on this earth we can’t overcome through him who gives us strength.
And then one day, when all the earthly kingdoms will be gone, when all the possessions, fame, or social status will be useless, when our lives will come to an end, those who belong to Christ will be able to experience the full glamour and glory of his kingdom. Those who didn’t reject his invitation will be able to experience the shade, peace and quiet of that big mustard tree.
Then the dwelling of God will be with all people, and he will live with them and will wipe out every tear from their eyes. And there will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. That is my friends the picture of the mustard tree Jesus talks about.
And so no matter what you’re going through right now, whether it’s pain, disappointment, fear, sadness, or any other kind of struggle, whether you feel small as a mustard seed, know that God is with you, taking care of you and watching over you. But especially believe that he has great things prepared for you, that there will be a time when you’ll be able to rest peacefully in the branches of his big mustard tree.
Apostle Paul says in the second reading: If God is for us, who is against us?” And then he goes on and names all these things, like death and life and angels and rulers, height and depth, and he says that none of these things can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. For Christ’s love is more powerful then all these things, it’s the most powerful thing in the world.
SECOND PARABLE
That’s why Jesus compares his kingdom in his second parable to yeast that was mixed with flower until all of it was leavened. I don’t know much about baking, but I know something about wine making. And let me tell you, yeast plays an important role in wine making process. In fact, one of the biggest mistakes you can do is to shut a barrel of young working wine closed tight.
My dad has a big wine cellar and I remember one time I walked inside the cellar and all the walls were covered with wine. I looked at dad and asked him, what happened. He said: Someone closed shut the barrel of young working wine and as the yeast was working, its power shot out the lid and the wine got all over the walls.
That’s the power of the kingdom of heaven. That’s what the power of Christ’s love is like. If you’d like to close, hide or silence it, it will explode, for it is more powerful than anything else in this world and nothing on earth or in heaven can separate us from this power of love.
THIRD AND FOUTRH PARABLE
For it is given to us as the most valuable gift. Jesus talks about this valuable gift when he compares his kingdom to a treasure hidden in a field, and a pearl of great value. That’s one thing these parables have in common; they talk about the value of the kingdom of God. It is so valuable that when you find it you give up everything else to have it. The person that finds the treasure in the field, sells all that he has and buys the field to get the treasure. Merchant that finds the valuable pearl goes and sells everything so he can buy the pearl.
Does that mean that to be part of the kingdom of heaven we need to sell all our possessions? No, that’s not what Jesus says. He says: “You don’t have to give up all your earthly possession, what I want is your heart.”
Apostle Paul says: “Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”
The things that we need to give up are different for all of us. Yes it might be our desire for earthly things and possessions, new cars, houses, stuff. But it can be something that’s imprisoning us inside, the spiritual or emotional bondage. We’re asked to give up everything that imprisons our heart, everything that takes our hearts away from Christ, for nothing in this world is more valuable then the most shining pearl, Christ our Lord.
This pearl doesn’t cost anything except your heart. It is given to you as a gift, so it can give you a new life. Whether you’re looking hard for it like the merchant or you find it by accident, like the treasure in the field. Everyone discovers this valuable treasure in different way, what matters is what we do when we find it. What we’re going to do when we’re given the chance to give up the old and gain the new. Are we going to give up our life so we can be given a new life in Christ?
FIFTH PARABLE
That’s the question that all of us will have to answer for ourselves. The fact is that all of us are given the chance to accept Christ and his kingdom of heaven, because the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea that caught fish of every kind. We’re not to determine who’s worthy to be a part of it and who’s not. That’s up to God, for one day he’ll gather his angels and they’ll separate the evil from the righteous.
And so what did we learn from Jesus’ parables about the kingdom of heaven? Well that even though it might seem that it’s small and insignificant right now, it’ll have the overall victory over death. We learned that even the smallest amount of Christ’s love has explosive power. We learned that it’s the most valuable gift that has been given to us and that we should do anything in our strength to keep this gift in our lives.
What will you do with the kingdom of heaven?
Amen |
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