In the end, the bread will rise
by Kimberley Pfeiffer
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The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till all was leavened (Matthew 13:33b).
God’s word today invites us to contemplate the mystery of the kingdom of heaven. Our reading gives us four images to meditate on: the tiny mustard seed, the hidden leaven (or yeast), the treasure that is hidden in a field, and the merchant in search of that perfect pearl. These each offer us a peculiar way to consider the mystery of Christ’s power and reign over heaven and earth. The parables tell us that the kingdom of God is both hidden and life-giving – seemingly impossible to find, yet, when discovered, found to be of priceless worth.
So, what do we know about the kingdom of God? We know that Christ is the reigning king (2 Peter 1:11). We know that the kingdom of heaven has come in Jesus and that we are called, like him, to abide in the Father’s will so that we may enter it (Matthew 7:21). We also know that God’s kingdom bridges earth to eternity. It is neither time-bound nor limited to earthly things nor set apart in a far-off spiritual realm (Revelation 11:15). It is both/and – temporal and eternal, now and forever.
If we only see things in an earthly sense, then God’s kingdom goes easily unnoticed. We know the church is full of imperfect people who carry the scars of sin and struggle under the law. Nevertheless, like a pinch of yeast dispersed through a huge basin of flour, the church – the scattered people of God – are called to be servants of the kingdom. For those with eyes to see, we know that the yeast of God’s word is working through the dough, growing God’s kingdom in faith and transforming all it touches. In the end, the bread will rise. The church is called to receive and share God’s life-giving words of hope, peace and joy and to go out into the world with those same words. We bring Christ’s merciful gift of redemption to restore the world’s brokenness.
Christ’s kingdom reigns in his church in every time and place. As we honour God’s word, gladly hearing and learning it together, we can use it to pray for others, the world and ourselves. We pray that the Holy Spirit will bring God’s gift of grace and mercy to us. God’s word is the transforming agent. Let us be servants of the kingdom, dispersed through the world to bring God’s restorative mercy to his creation.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that your kingdom has come and grows in a hidden way like leaven in flour. Please bless us with your word to grow our faith, hope and love. Through our reigning king, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Kimberley Pfeiffer is married to Joshua, and they have four children. She is a member of the Lutheran Church of Australia and has served in various forms of church work. Kimberley is currently studying in graduate school at Concordia Lutheran Seminary, St Louis, USA. She is enjoying the challenge and the adventure abroad.
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