Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Meditation Luke 13:18-21
The apostles must have been shocked when Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a mustard seed and a measure of yeast. They knew that a mustard seed was so small you could hardly see it. And they probably knew that it took only a pinch of yeast to make a loaf of bread. But they didn’t quite understand what Jesus said about the kingdom; what could something so big and important as God’s reign on earth have to do with anything so common? The apostles didn’t realize it at the time, but they were already answering that question with their lives. In fact, they were the answer! In only a few hundred years, their little group of twelve became millions. We can truly marvel that a small group of ordinary men were the seed that sprouted into the body of Christ. Just think: If it were not for the original apostles, you wouldn’t be reading these words now! But the church isn’t just a historical event. History isn’t over, and neither is our part in it! However, it could be that we’re not feeling too excited about serving these days. Perhaps we are involved in a parish that seems asleep, or a ministry that doesn’t look very fruitful. Or we may have given up on serving altogether, because we’re not sure just where we fit in the kingdom. If so, Jesus is talking to us! He is telling us that we are the yeast and the mustard seeds he is depending on to do his work! Like the apostles, we may not fully grasp how the kingdom grows. But maybe that’s the point. God doesn’t want us to analyze everything; he just wants us to jump in. He wants us to be like the farmer who scatters seed on the soil at night, and sees it come up in the morning without knowing how (Mark 4:27). Jesus has a glorious destiny for all of us, and that includes the task he has for us right now as laborers in his vineyard. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen us in that work, so that we can be as the tree that shelters and the yeast that gives life. Lord, I thank you for letting me be a part of your kingdom! Give me the joy and strength of your Spirit to serve wherever you put me! Ephesians 5:21-33; Psalm 128:1-5Ephesians 5:21-33; Psalm 128:1-5 |