There is so much to learn about God's kingdom. No matter how long we journey in faith, there will be so much more to learn about God’s kingdom. Jesus wants to teach us about God’s kingdom, so he uses parables. The kingdom of God is like a small mustard seed that grows into a large bush that can provide shade and that can feed many birds through the delicious seeds it produces. The kingdom of God is like this small seed in our lives, in that it starts out in its smallest beginnings in our human hearts, in which we open up our lives to God’s word and God’s will. God’s kingdom transforms us from within, in ways we could never imagine, in ways we could not change through our own efforts.
Leaven is another image that symbolically describes God’s kingdom. Leaven is a powerful agent of change. Without leaven, the dough cannot be transformed into fresh bread when baked in the oven. Without leaven, there is no bread. The bread of life provides us nourishment and stamina, the staple of life for us human beings.
Like leaven helping bread to rise or a small seed growing into a lush bush, the kingdom of God can transform those who are open to God’s grace, to those willing to receive new life in Christ.
Lord, may we be open to the ways the kingdom of God can transform us. May we increase in our zeal for your kingdom. May you, O Lord, instill in us a holy desire to live out our faith in proclamation of your kingdom, so that we may announce your glory to all.
No comments:
Post a Comment