Matthew seeks to put into language what is difficult to describe - the dynamic action of God as we experience it as a part of God’s creation. The kingdom of heaven is God’s enterprise, one Jesus explains to us as an enterprise likened to a humble seed growing trees for nesting birds, or yeast leavening bread dough to feed hungry people, an enterprise of discovery- discovering treasure and selling everything to acquire it. An enterprise of discerning the value of a pearl and investing in it, an enterprise of hard back-breaking effort, casting out nets of heavy rope, then pulling them back in with all that you’ve got, and deciding which fish to keep, and which to toss back.

In today’s parable, Jesus is not squirmy about enemies. There are many ways to interpret this text, and as parables are intended to be unresolvable puzzles, I’m going to share a few interpretations for you to wrestle with…

Within you is a seed that has two starter kits: one for roots, one for fruit & flowers.