Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 on biblegateway.com
Verse 31He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; Verse 32it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." Verse 33He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."
Verse 44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Verse 45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; Verse 46on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Verse 47"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; Verse 48when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. Verse 49So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous Verse 50and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Verse 51"Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." Verse 52And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."
Devotion
Everyone loves a good story. Stories are timeless and alive. Stories are a gift of discernment, asking us to see ourselves, and our situation, in the story. Jesus told stories about the kingdom of heaven.
In the First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation, I find a different, helpful phrase in today’s reading: “the good road” or “to walk in the ways of the Creator’s good road.” The kingdom is a good road, a way of life, following what we discern to be God’s good will for us here and now; it is a meeting of our dreams, challenges, and surprises with a faith that’s alive, creative, and changing—our faithful story along the Creator’s good road.
Yesterday I wrote about my friends’ Mustard Seed Farm. Today Jesus tells us a story of a mustard seed that grows into a tree of life and hospitality for the birds of the air. Wow! What is your mustard seed? What story is Jesus speaking to you?
Prayer
Spirit of God, breathe through me. May my mind come alive today to sense your presence and leading, especially in the little things I do daily. Amen.