Parables of the Mustard Seed & the Yeast
Scripture: Matthew 13:31-35
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field… Read more…
Looking to Sunday
by Elaine Poproski
My mom arrived in Canada from England in 1967. In the 50+ years she called this country home, she never became a citizen. It wasn’t something she needed. But near the end of her life, she decided she wanted a voice in electing Canada’s and Ontario’s political leaders, so she applied for citizenship. The government, being slow about these things, finally invited her to become a citizen in the fall after she died. My mom would have rolled her eyes and laughed at the ridiculousness of that.
For those of us who grew up in stable, safe countries, citizenship may not be a big deal. It may not be something we value. But for those of us who grew up in countries where safety, security, the right to express yourself freely, and any number of other freedoms we sometimes take for granted in Canada, are non-existent or restricted, citizenship in Canada is of much more value. But citizenship isn’t just about rights and protections. Citizenship is also about responsibility.
In Canada, according to the Government of Canada website, citizens have a responsibility to obey the law, be responsible for ourselves and our families, serve on a jury, vote, help others in our communities, and protect our heritage and environment. For those of us who are Christians – who have decided to name Jesus as the Lord of our lives – we are not just citizens of Canada (or some other country); we are citizens of God’s kingdom. On Sunday, as we examine Jesus’ parables of the mustard seed and the yeast, we’re going to be reminded of this other citizenship.
As you prepare for Sunday, perhaps take some time to consider what it means to be a citizen of God’s kingdom. What are the privileges that come with that citizenship? What are the responsibilities or expectations of citizens of God’s kingdom? How are you doing fulfilling these responsibilities of citizenship? (If the whole idea of the Kingdom of God is strange or foreign to you, perhaps take some time to listen again to the sermon preached a year ago on June 14th; it’s an introduction to the kingdom based on Matthew 4:23 – 5:16 and it may serve as helpful background for this Sunday’s sermon.)