Day 54: Holy Imagination

³¹ Jesus told the crowd another story. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. Someone took the seed and planted it in a field. ³² It is the smallest of all your seeds. But when it grows, it is the largest of all garden plants. It becomes a tree. Birds come and rest in its branches."

³³ Jesus told them still another story. "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast," he said. "A woman mixed it into a large amount of flour. The yeast worked its way all through the dough." Matthew 13:31-33

How is the kingdom of heaven like this annoying plant that grows and grows and takes over a field?

How is the kingdom of heaven like moldy, rotting ruined dough?

Parables paint holy and imaginative pictures of what God’s kingdom looks like. This incarnational God is a Divine God who seeks to be in partnership with those who are ready to help liberate all of nature, all of humanity. The Gospel is rebellious. It’s revolutionary. God’s kingdom has come and changed things forever from what they were into something else completely. These playful parables aren’t just words on a page, they are the Word of God which bring the kingdom here, now, today.

God is like a mustard seed, God is like creepy yeast!

From Pastor Ruth Ann Loughry's sermon, "Holy Imagination" on 7/24/11
Click HERE to view/listen to the entire sermon

Day 54. Dollar 54. Pound 54. Beloved and sovereign God, through the death and resurrection of your Son you bring us into your kingdom of justice and mercy. By your Spirit, give us your wisdom, that we may treasure the life that comes from Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.