God's Kingdom
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18 Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.” 19 Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” 20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. 21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.” 22 So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. 23 But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her.
(Genesis 29:18-23)
When Jacob arrived in Harran and found his uncle Laban, Jacob was immediately smitten with Laban's youngest daughter, Rachel. Jacob was so taken by her that he agreed to work for his uncle for 7 years in order to marry her. Laban, however, was as much of a trickster as Jacob. When the time came for the wedding, Laban hid his older daughter, Leah, under a veil and had her marry Jacob instead. Almost comically, Jacob did not protest this switch until after he slept with Leah. Laban argued that it wasn't customary to marry off the younger daughter before the eldest, and said that after a week Jacob could have Rachel as well if he agreed to work for 7 more years. Jacob agreed, but all of his remaining years with Laban would be fraught with Jacob and Laban continually trying to outwit each other. Weren't these God's people? Where was God in all of this mess!?
Jesus used a quick succession of stories to illustrate the kingdom of heaven for his listeners. The stories were different so that people from various backgrounds would be able to latch on to something that was relevant for them. Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven (or kingdom of God) to weeds and wheat growing together, to a mustard seed planted in a field, to yeast mixed into flour, to hidden valuables, and to a catch of fish containing both good and inedible fish. The stories of weeds and fish illustrate that it's God's job to make the distinction between good and bad. The mustard seed, yeast, and hidden treasure illustrate that nothing is insignificant, that the kingdom is worth searching for, and that its power and blessing grow in
magnificent yet imperceptible ways.
When the weeds are all around us and when they are within us, when the seeds of faith are buried under the dirtiness of life, when God's will seems to create an ugly disturbance, when we feel like God is nowhere to be found, when the good we attempt seems marred by negativity and evil, God is working in it all. The kingdom of heaven is all around us and within us. It's not our job to determine what's good, it's our job to grow, to yield to our creator, and trust that even in the midst of life's messiness, God is doing something beautiful.
33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous.
(Matthew 13:33,44-45,47-49)
Enjoy this original, uplifting, song by yours truly!
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