Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew 13:31 -34
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.”
In today’s passage, Jesus talks about kingdom of heaven through two parables.  First, Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.  Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.  In the second parable Jesus said the Kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.
          The kingdom of heaven here refers to the Holy Spirit dwelling among us.  Jesus compares Kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed, but once planted it grew and became a tree.  The kingdom of heaven starts from the smallest beginnings in the hearts of men and women who are receptive to God’s word and it causes a transformation from within.  Often, we are discouraged by various things and may not be dependent on God’s will in our lives.  It may be that we consider the kingdom of heaven within us to be too small as the mustard seed.  The outcome of the seed is not judged by the size of the seed. As we meditate on this passage, we may sometimes feel how insignificant we are just like the size of the mustard seed.  But Jesus reminded us that Jesus can transform us and make us like a tree.  The seed never became a tree by overnight, but it went through a process of gradual growth.  This is true today in our spiritual growth as well.  We are living in a world where we are looking for immediate results for our prayers, and we are disappointed when we do not see the results right away.  But God wants us to grow from a seed to a tree over time and be fruitful and useful to others. 
              Yeast is another power agent of change. A heap of flour left to itself remains as flour, but when yeast is added, it transform to rich and wholesome bread when it is baked.  A tiny portion of yeast affects the all dough.  It shows yeast’s influence penetrate the surrounding dough and present everywhere in the dough.  Similarly, the kingdom of heaven produces a transformation in those who receive the new life which Jesus offers.  However, today in our churches, those who are holding power and authority do not seem to be utilizing their influence for the betterment of the church.  For instance, there is a trend in our churches that many of our leaders are tending to needs of the older generation while knowingly or unknowingly avoiding those of our children and youth.  Likewise, those who are not in positions of leadership adopt a “laissez-faire” attitude towards the needs of church since they feel they are not directly responsible or obligated to the affairs of the church.
As a Mar Thoma Diocese, as we are celebrating the 25th year of existence in this land, in our journey from a seed to a tree, Are we acting an agent of transformation like yeast in our surroundings or are we letting our surroundings dictate our influence?
 Prayer: “Lord, help us to grow the kingdom of heaven within us so that we can become agents of change wherever you place us.”Amen.  
Thought for the Day:  Are we able to recognize the seed within us?

George Babu, Long Island MTC, NY

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more