"Pep" Talk
Seeing the world through a theological lens...
Luke 13:20-21 And again he said, “To what should I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.” Jesus has compared the Kingdom of God to a weed, and now to a rising agent. The metaphor is pretty simple to understand. God's people move into the world, living a different kind of life than already exists. Like the weeds in a manicured garden, it will annoy people. Like yeast in a loaf of bread, it will uplift people. In both scenarios and so many more named in the parables of Jesus, the disciples multiply, and as we do, the world begins to change. What is so different about the way the disciples live that is powerful enough to change the world? We forgive. We do not resist evil with violence. We live our lives in the interests of others rather than amassing possessions for ourselves. We drop our ego. We let go of nationalism and tribalism. We work diligently and tirelessly toward reconciliation and healing. We are ever willing to sacrifice everything for the cause of God's peace. Read that list again. It sounds like it would be Impossible to live out. Yet, deep down we know it to be the only real way to shalom. Jesus came to show us that this way of living is not impossible. This is exactly how he lived his life. The idea that this kind of life is impossible, keeps us from what God has designed for us; chains us to a life of frustration and feelings of futility. Living as weed-like, yeast-laden disciples is not a self-serving type of Christianity where we get our reward in the end- after this life on earth. It is instead an opportunity to be a part of changing the world; turning it upside down and raising up its people.
1 Comment
Josephine D'Antonio
3/18/2021 05:32:47 pm
Amen
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