Based on Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Jesus is often recognised as being a teacher. The Jewish word that would be used to describe him as a teacher is rabbi. In this congregation we talk about being lifelong disciples of Jesus. The word disciples pretty much mean a follower or a student. So, in the scene we have just heard read Jesus is teaching his students.
I find it is fascinating that after Jesus shares a set of strange sayings which are all similies about this thing that he calls “The kingdom of heaven” he turns to his followers and asks, “Have you understood all this?”
What is even more surprising, and more than a little puzzling, is that they answered, “Yes.” “Yes?”
I mean seriously do we really think they understood what Jesus was going on about with mustards seeds, yeast, treasure in fields, pearls, and a catch of good and bad fish. Let alone saying that these things described something he called the kingdom of heaven.
For those who don’t know in a former time I was a teacher and there was more than one occasion when I asked a class “Have you understood all this?” Students would all nod vigorously to see yes. But then we I went to speak to individual students it was clear that most of them did not understand at all.
Let’s think about what Jesus was saying. I mean when you think of the word “heaven” I wonder what comes into your mind. Isn’t heaven up there? Somewhere other than where we are? Bunch of angels sitting on clouds?
But Jesus seems to also be implying that this kingdom of heaven has something to do with this life as much as what happens after this life.
I think it is helpful to recall that there is a bit of a mystery and something different to the everyday of our experiences in life when it comes to thinking about Jesus’ teaching. The kingdom that Jesus is describing is not a place but is more about the discovery of our relationship with God and how we can live a good life in this world.
The strangeness of Jesus’ teaching prompts us to see our lives in the world a bit differently and to live as part of this strange thing that he calls the kingdom of heaven. Now because we might have predetermined ideas about some of the words of this phrase I think it cna be helpful to use the original Greek phrase which is βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν (pronounced vah-see-LEE-ah tone oo-rah-NOHN).
If Jesus is referring to how we live in the world as part of this strange idea of βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν then I wonder if Jesus little examples and stories are more about getting us to ask ourselves some questions about the signs of the kingdom already prsent aithin us and around us.
Let's connect some of the similies to some questions that might help us search for signs of the βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.
Who is some that you look at and see their how life has become a shelter and shade for other people? Who is it that build people up and helps them?
The yeast and the bread.
What actions do you experience day by day which act like yeast and help you to flourish in life?
The treasure in the field.
What are the joys in your life that you are willing to make sacrifices for?
The pearl of great price.
What pearls of wisdom have you heard today that might be of value in your life?
And finally, the good and the bad fish.
(As a side note it would have been easier to leave this saying out because it appears to talk about a strange notion of God rejecting some people at the end of our lives. For some people being a follower of Jesus can be oversimplified to ideas about heaven and hell. But this strange saying sits in tension with other parts of the Bible which speak about God’s unconditional mercy, love and grace. Reducing ideas about the βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν to something that happens after we die seems to miss the point of a lot of Jesus teaching. So, I wonder whether what this saying might raise for us is this question.)
What are the things that you see in the world and in your life that you long would be cast off like bad fish?
The good news of Jesus is more than his strange ways of describing how we should live as part of the βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν but involves the outlandish idea that Jesus is also God and in him we see the fullness of God’s love. And this love is shared with us and is within each person.
When Jesus asks, “Have you understood all this?” I’d like to be honest and say “not really”, “not at all”, or “maybe a bit” (especially when it comes ot a vision of the end times which seems to conrtradict the idea of uncodnitional love). But the mystery of not fully understanding leaves me curious and questioning. It leaves me feeling compelled to continue to follow Jesus and find out more.
Everyone is invited to be part of the βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν and everyone is welcome to participate in sharing in its growth, joy, flourishing and value. You do not have to know and understand everything but simply remain curious and ready to explore more of God’s love. How are you seeing signs of the βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν in your life and how might you give thanks to God for these times.
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