http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/08/16/parables-of-the-kingdom-the-mustard-seed-and-the-yeast/ Random wonderings about God and Life Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:33:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/08/16/parables-of-the-kingdom-the-mustard-seed-and-the-yeast/#comment-1898 Alastair Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:42:16 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/08/16/parables-of-the-kingdom-the-mustard-seed-and-the-yeast/#comment-1898 Once sown, it spreads like a weed, causing havoc on the ordered garden of the land. It also throws purity boundaries into confusion precisely because it spreads indiscriminately, thereby violating the prohibition against planting two kinds of seed in the same field (Lev 19:19; Deut 22:9). The mustard shrub becomes an agent of confusion and source of uncleanliness. The goal of sowing is not to turn it into something it isn't (a tree) but to maximize what it is (a ubiquitous shrub), a force to be reckoned with. Like the land itself, the purpose of the shrub is to provide for others, the birds of the air. (Jesus, Justice, and the Reign of God, p 206) Once sown, it spreads like a weed, causing havoc on the ordered garden of the land. It also throws purity boundaries into confusion precisely because it spreads indiscriminately, thereby violating the prohibition against planting two kinds of seed in the same field (Lev 19:19; Deut 22:9). The mustard shrub becomes an agent of confusion and source of uncleanliness. The goal of sowing is not to turn it into something it isn’t (a tree) but to maximize what it is (a ubiquitous shrub), a force to be reckoned with. Like the land itself, the purpose of the shrub is to provide for others, the birds of the air. (Jesus, Justice, and the Reign of God, p 206)

]]> http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/08/16/parables-of-the-kingdom-the-mustard-seed-and-the-yeast/#comment-1805 Andrew Jones (Jr :) ) Sat, 18 Aug 2007 15:54:15 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/08/16/parables-of-the-kingdom-the-mustard-seed-and-the-yeast/#comment-1805 But mustard seeds consolidate carbon and encourage biodiversity. The Kingdom always increases in size and strength, but it provides a haven for all sorts of things that are not necessarily part of it, or are transient. The birds might not even realise it is growing at all. For me it conjures up dreams from Isaiah that Jerusalem would be a place that all the nations would bring their treasures into (For protection? - clearly not this Jerusalem). That it would be a hub of cultural activity, with people coming from all over the earth, and all becoming filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah would be disappointed that Jerusalem is in such a mess, because he clearly loved the city, but he could not have imagined what use has been made of his prophecies to bless the nations anyway. And the story isnt finished yet. Perhaps the subtle but solid Kingdom can carry society, rather than religion stamping a mere image of the Kingdom on society. ("The government shall be upon His shoulders", rather than "He shall sit on the governments shoulders", which would be his right, but a little bit oppressive, and much less glorious) Better stop before I get dizzy. But mustard seeds consolidate carbon and encourage biodiversity.
The Kingdom always increases in size and strength, but it provides a haven for all sorts of things that are not necessarily part of it, or are transient. The birds might not even realise it is growing at all.
For me it conjures up dreams from Isaiah that Jerusalem would be a place that all the nations would bring their treasures into (For protection? - clearly not this Jerusalem). That it would be a hub of cultural activity, with people coming from all over the earth, and all becoming filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah would be disappointed that Jerusalem is in such a mess, because he clearly loved the city, but he could not have imagined what use has been made of his prophecies to bless the nations anyway. And the story isnt finished yet.
Perhaps the subtle but solid Kingdom can carry society, rather than religion stamping a mere image of the Kingdom on society.
(”The government shall be upon His shoulders”, rather than “He shall sit on the governments shoulders”, which would be his right, but a little bit oppressive, and much less glorious) Better stop before I get dizzy.

]]> http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/08/16/parables-of-the-kingdom-the-mustard-seed-and-the-yeast/#comment-1804 Andrew Jones (Jr :) ) Sat, 18 Aug 2007 15:22:59 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/08/16/parables-of-the-kingdom-the-mustard-seed-and-the-yeast/#comment-1804 Yeast emits lots of CO2 and makes alcohol! Partay!! :grin: Yeast emits lots of CO2 and makes alcohol!
Partay!!

]]> http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/08/16/parables-of-the-kingdom-the-mustard-seed-and-the-yeast/#comment-1780 David Thu, 16 Aug 2007 15:22:44 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/08/16/parables-of-the-kingdom-the-mustard-seed-and-the-yeast/#comment-1780 Hey Rupert! Good stuff. Revolution is going is going to start doing some stuff on the parables. I'll have to glean! :-) Hey Rupert!
Good stuff. Revolution is going is going to start doing some stuff on the parables. I’ll have to glean!

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