ONEFAMILY Outreach

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“Mustard Seed!”

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

(31) He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; (32) and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR come and NEST IN ITS BRANCHES.”

(33) He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.”

Matthew 13:44-52

(44) “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

(45) “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, (46) and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

(47) “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; (48) and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. (49) “So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, (50) and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(51) “Have you understood all these things?” They *said to Him, “Yes.” (52) And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”

Matthew 13:31-32

“The kingdom of heaven is like...”

Let’s keep two things in mind as we read Matthew’s account of the kingdom parables. First, Matthew doesn’t tell Jesus’ stories chronologically, he strings them together like “pearls on a necklace.” This was the style teachers used in Matthew’s day but our knowledge of the Gospels will expand if we compare these readings with the other Synoptic Gospels (Mark and Luke) in order to get a fuller context of Jesus’ public statements. Take time to find out who Jesus was speaking to and in what circumstance.

Secondly, remember Jesus’ accounts of heaven were first-hand. He had been there! These stories weren’t conjecture or guesswork they were personal experiences. Our Lord had basked in the presence of God and chose to leave that behind to be “in the likeness of sinful flesh.”

Romans 8:3

(3) For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh.

Jesus had been in heaven, became human and returned to heaven so he can welcome us there.

“A Mustard Seed”

The mustard seed can get stuck under the tip of a fingernail. It is so small that you could grasp it in your palm and not feel it. Yet, from the smallest seed grows a shrub as large as a tree; it is not just tall but is also wide. It was known as the poor man’s fence providing shade and protection at no cost. It kept predators out and children in. The mustard plant was thick providing nests for birds who brigtened the yard with music and color while keeping the insect population under control.

Comfort, protection, and safety for the family. Available to the poorest of the poor, a reward far greater than the investment.

Luke 6:38

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

This is Christ’s image of heaven. I have made this statement in other studies but it bears repeating, “We can’t out-give God but it is worth trying.”

Matthew 13:33

(33) He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.”

“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven...”

Like the mustard seed leaven is a tiny agent that causes great change. Also like the mustard seed when its work is done the leaven can longer be found. We are most like leaven when we act as invisible agents of change in our communities. Leaven is like a silent servant empowering others to change without demanding personal attention or glory.

Matthew 6:3-4

(3) “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (4) so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

We are often frozen from being effective agents of change because we think big problems demand big solutions. The truth is most of the good work within our communities is done interpersonally and selflessly. However as our lives become increasingly busy our houses become more like dens of entertainment and isolation. In turn, our streets become less like neighborhoods. Do I know my neighbor? Does my church know their neighborhood? Often it is easier to muster a mission group and build a church two thousand miles away than to run a weekly after school program for impoverished children within a square five block radius of my own chapel.

Heaven is full of those who gave freely and quietly. It is filled those whom the mistreated and forgotten call “friend.”

Leviticus 19:33-34

(33) “When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. (34) “The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.”

Are we the leaven of change in our own communities? If yes, heaven will feel home to us.

Matthew 13:44-52

(44) “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

(45) “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, (46) and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

“Like a treasure hidden in the field”

I think it is important to remind myself that when Jesus speaks about being “perfect” [5048 telios] (Matthew 5:48) or “good” [18 agathos] (Luke 18:19), he defines those terms by telling me to love those who hate me and to “sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor.”

Jesus constantly reminds us that heaven won’t be a seminary lecture hall. We won’t measured by how deep we can think, how much we can earn or how much authority we might wield. Jesus won’t ask how much is in our savings accounts but, instead, how much I gave from my heart. Our Lord’s prescription for a meaningful life is to liberate ourselves by giving. Does radical abandonment sound liberating to you? Then, you’ll love the people you meet in heaven.

Matthew 13:47-50

“Like a dragnet cast into the sea”

God isn’t selective about who he loves. “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” [Matthew 5:45b]. Even in Jesus’ incredible illustration on forgiveness—the Prodigal Son [Luke 15:15-42]—the father pleads with the older brother to join the family. It is the older brother who refuses the father’s invitation. “But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. [Luke 15:28]

Does that sound to you like the older brother was “kicked out” of the family? The elder son chooses isolation and bitterness over forgiveness and family. Hell as a choice, is that what Jesus is suggesting?

On multiple occasions Jesus refers to hell as a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. The stories of hell include the guest who rejected God’s hospitality [Matthew 22:1-14]. The servants who tried to take over their master’s vineyard for personal gain [Matthew 24:22-41]. The servant who does not invest the master’s talents [Matthew 25:14-30]. Other depictions include guests who arrive after the Roman curfew and threaten to put their host’s household at risk with thier selfish and loud behavior [Luke l3:22-30].

What do all those who weep and gnash their teeth have in common along with the elder brother and the rich man who ignored Lazarus? They blamed others for their predicament and were enraged when they were treated like they had treated others.

Heaven and hell are products of our own compassion and forgiveness or bitterness and pride in this life. We need to look around at our life now. Who do I include or reject now? What do I give or take to others now? Am I a friend to the poor now or do I only associate with those who will help me get ahead?

I braid the strand of my forever now. Is my heart currently immersed in gratitude and giving or am I occupied with blame and anger? What am I doing today—now—to nourish the mustard seed of God’s eternal compassion?

About the Author

Jerry Goebel is a community organizer who started ONEFamily Outreach in response to gang violence and youth alienation in a rural community in Southeastern Washington. Since that time, Jerry has worked with communities around the globe to break the systemic hold of poverty by enhancing the strengths of the poor.

A primary philosophy of ONEFamily Outreach is to teach; “poverty is a lack of healthy relationships.” And, a primary focus of ONEFamily Outreach has been to break down the barriers of poverty through creating “cultures of intentional courtesy.”

As well as having developed ongoing mentoring outreaches in his own community, Jerry travels extensively to work with church leaders, community governments, and educators.

Jerry has received five popular music awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, a Best Educational Video Award from the National Catholic Education Association, and a lifetime achievement award from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry for living Gospel Values.

To contact or book Jerry for a presentation in your area write or call:

Jerry Goebel
ONEFamily Outreach
jerry@onefamilyoutreach.com
http://onefamilyoutreach.com
(509) 525-0709

Copyright Notice

Scripture Quotations noted from NASB are from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD VERSION of the bible. Copyright © The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

The New Testament Greek Lexicon based on Thayer’s and Smith’s Bible Dictionary plus others; this is keyed to the large Kittel and the “Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.” These files are public domain.

The Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon is Brown, Driver, Briggs, Gesenius Lexicon; this is keyed to the “Theological Word Book of the Old Testament.” These files are considered public domain.