I’m contemplating some of Jesus’ one-liners this week: mustard seeds and yeast. They are both parables about small – almost invisible - stuff growing big over time and after lots of waiting.
At first, I conjure up images of Mom telling me just to wait for something or some time – usually things like Christmas, or my birthday. Those events and all the goodness that comes with them WILL come eventually. Then, since I’m a pastor, I think of church-y things: small churches growing big, small seeds of ideas taking root and growing wider and more far-reaching in influence, things like God’s love, or justice, or peace, or maybe even my own humble ideas taking off and spreading and growing in huge ways.
SUCCESS!! ACHIEVEMENT at last!!
But, now I’m thinking I might have had it all wrong.
What is a mustard plant anyway? It’s a weed more often than not. And, what does yeast do? It makes holes in bread…big empty spaces of nothing but air. Was Jesus saying that the Kingdom of God was like a big weed or big holes in your bread?
Apparently.
Weeds and holes are relatively undesirable things to most in “normal” society, the Establishment, those in control. At least they were to society leaders in Jesus’ day – the religious leaders, the Romans. Who would take notice of a few weeds – even if they had grown large, or some holes in their bread. Weeds are good for nothing, and holes are…well…nothing. Who cares if someone is growing good-for-nothing nothings. The Kingdom of God is like things that look like good-for-nothings…growing into something that still looks like nothing to the more influential and powerful of the world.
But, what do you know…when good-for-nothing weeds become trees…they become good for something – a home for all manner of creatures. And after baking, holes do something to bread…it is softer, sweeter, more savory - holding invisible flavors and aromas released in the eating. Hmm. Invisible stuff that really offers the savory richness and sustenance of our lives.
I still thought a little church-y. What if…the Realm of God is like a tiny little church, struggling to survive. God makes it grow! No, not in size, silly. But into a thousand other small churches struggling with the mighty and powerful definitions of success and security in the world. Like leaven and mustard weeds, creating the spaces and homes for God and ordinary creatures to reside.
