(This message was given by Patrick Hill on September 1, 2024)
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We are going to start with two parables in Matthew 13: 31-33
What is the point of these two parables? It would seem that Jesus is saying the Kingdom of God starts small but expands greatly. Mustard would have been a noxious plant in their fields and that yeast was almost always connected with negative things. This would mean that the Kingdom of God is counterintuitive, it is not something the world seems to value or want. Lastly, we see that something is accomplished by that small thing: birds of the air nest in the branches of the tree; all of the dough is leavened.
And that is about as far as we can go with these passages thinking as westerners. But there is more. A Hebrew Rabbi would have taught on multiple levels and the original listeners would have been expecting that, especially with parables.
The first level is what we just talked about. However, there are a few things that stick out at the surface level study.
A mustard seed does not grow into a tree. At best it grows into a low bush. If it becomes a tree, one would assume birds would nest in the branches. This detail seems redundant.
Why do we need to know the exact amount of flour in the dough? Wouldn’t it be enough to just say a lot?
As westerners, we don’t like weird things and so we either ignore them or explain them away. It is these odd things that a Hebrew would pick up on and explore because they know that there is something there. What a Hebrew would ask themselves is: “Is there something in the text about this?” And so we should ask the same thing, “Is there something related to this in the OT?” This is the deeper level.
I would like us to focus on the parable of the yeast this morning but for context’s sake, let me tell you briefly about the first parable.
The parable of the mustard seed links up with a prophecy in Ezekiel 17 (starting in 22) where God is describing how He is going to bring them back from exile and plant them again in the promised land. The reference to birds nesting is about how they will finally live out their mission to be a blessing to all nations. We will come back to this.
Now what about the yeast? The clue to the deeper level was the 3 measures or seahs of flour. So the question is, where in the OT is there a woman doing something with 3 seahs of flour? There is only one place. It is in the life of Abraham in Genesis 18.
I’m not sure how much you know about the story of Abraham so let me give you some context. Scripture calls him “the man of faith” as well as God’s friend. He followed God away from his family and clan and went to a land that God showed him, a land that would one day be Israel’s. God blesses him and says that He will be a father of many and be a blessing to all nations. Abraham believes God. His faith isn’t perfect, but He trusts in God’s goodness, His provision, and His plan.
It is in the middle of all this we drop into the story. Abraham has just been renamed as Abraham. God has promised Abraham that his wife Sarah will have a child even though she has been barren. As a seal of all this, Abraham and all the males that work with and for him have been circumcised.
Read Genesis 18:1-8. Did you see the connection in there? Let’s walk through this.
Abraham is sitting down, but when he sees 3 visitors, he immediately gets up and runs pell mell up to them and then what? He invites them to rest for a bit in the shade. To get washed up. To have a piece of bread. Does Abraham know it is God? We know that the Lord is visiting Abraham, but it is likely that he wouldn’t have known until later on. The word lord is also just simply a term of respect and honor. So that is his offer and they agree. But then, what does he do?
3 seahs of flour made into bread
A whole calf prepared
Curds and milk
§Now I want us to get the point of this. For three visitors, three strangers, Abraham did a lot more than what he had offered. Instead of a snack, he gave them a feast and not just a feast. For 3 people, he prepared enough bread to make 192 Jimmy Johns Sandwiches. He served about 330lbs of meat. Plus however much curds and milk. And then he doesn’t even eat! He stands like a waiter at the beck and call of the strangers. What the point here? Abraham was paying attention and when the opportunity came, he showed radical hospitality to strangers.
So let’s bring it back to the parables again.
The Kingdom of heaven is counterintuitive, it does not share the values of this world nor does the world value it.
The Kingdom of heaven is something that starts small but grows and expands, accomplishing its mission to be a blessing to all people.
The Kingdom of heaven grows and expands by means of faith expressing itself in hospitality toward others, especially those who have no claim on us.
And Jesus said that the Kingdom of heaven was here now. We, as the church, are part of it. Having looked at what we just did, think about how it connects to the following scriptures:
Hebrews 13:1-3 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
Matt 25:31-40, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Rev 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
Hospitality is a big deal to God. All over the scriptures, we see it commanded and lived out in the stories of the Old and New Testament and especially in the life and ministry of Jesus. These passages we just studied and read show us pictures of what hospitality looks like. That is what an easterner does with words. But we are westerners, so let me give a working definition of hospitality:
Hospitality is using your resources to see, hear, and value other people, especially those you don’t know well. It is doing whatever you can to make people feel welcome and at home.
·How do you show Hospitality.?
Notice people. Think about how they might be doing, what their life might be like. Be a student of people, paying attention to body language and behavior, in order to discern how you might be helpful to them. I’m not suggesting that you need to engage with every person you see, but rather to make noticing people a part of your lifestyle, your posture.
Listen to others. I mean really listen, not distracted by other things including thinking about what you are going to say next. Engage with others in such a way as to hear the cries of their heart. That usually looks like asking questions to go deeper or further. Empathize - rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. I have found that more than anything, people need to feel heard.
o Value people. Noticing them and listening are certainly part of this, but it goes further. It means being fully present with them and genuinely caring for them. You are an image bearer of God and someone for whom Christ died. And the fact is, so is every single person you will ever run across.
It also means serving others. Making them feel at home. Treating them as VIP’s and putting their needs ahead of yours.
None of this has to be big. It’s mostly about the small things we do on a regular basis that add up and even multiply into something that is big. What would make you feel at home? What makes you feel seen and heard and valued? What is one thing you could do differently starting today in your home, at work or school, even here? Might I make a couple suggestions for here?
Put down roots here. Claim this body as your home church, as your church family. We already have a reputation for being friendly. Way to go! Let’s make it a place people want to stay once they’ve come
Showing up at 10 to 10 on a Sunday morning: It values those who put so much effort into making service happen. More than that, it allows us to be present for everyone new that may come. What kind of welcome is an empty auditorium at the start of service?
Everyone can take it upon themselves to notice people they haven’t met and engage with them. As Anthony always says for potlucks, don’t let anyone sit alone. Speaking of potlucks, what if we each did our best to make sure there was enough good food for everyone to eat and be satisfied.
·Learn how to check-in with others and practice it. As I said before, one of people’s greatest needs is to be seen and heard. The Check-in Rhythm that we have talk about before is a great tool for that.
If you aren’t already, strongly consider serving in one of the ministries of the church. Every single area directly affects how hospitable we are to others: from working with the kids, to communication, to greeting, and even helping Pete with maintenance.
And again, I want to make sure I am clear. There are a number of you who work hard to make CLG a hospitable place. Thank you. My invitation today, though is for each one of us to recognize and accept our part in this church family to make it as radically hospitable as Abraham so that others might find God, Find His Way, together with us.
Passages/resources/sources:
· Genesis 18-19, Luke 7:36-50, Ezekial 17
· BEMA Podcast, episodes 11 & 111
· https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/custom-beef-processing-expected-yields.html