Today’s scripture: Matthew 13:34-43 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Tommy Chittenden):
I wonder how many listeners in the crowd that gathered by the lake on this particular day might have reacted the way any number of us have done on any given Sunday at Jesus MCC.
Jesus spoke all “these things” to the crowd in parables; he did not say “anything” to them without using a parable (vs.34)
Can you imagine an entire sermon comprised of Pastor Jeff’s jokes? By the remarks and questions recorded throughout the entire thirteenth chapter of Matthew, it seemed there were plenty of people scratching their heads as story by story, parable by parable, Jesus spoke of “things hidden since the creation of the world.” What is He talking about?
It’s obvious that Pastor enjoys telling us the stories/jokes that he integrates into his Holy Spirit anointed messages. I’m sure he can tell as he looks over those seated in front of him each week if we get those jokes — or not. (You know as well as I do by the delayed reactions, some of them require a bit more processing than others!) In the end we laugh or not, we sigh, we groan, we look at each other, and we enjoy watching him laugh even if we think he’s hit a new low.
But when we keep the story/joke connected with the context of his message, the bigger picture, almost without exception we get the connection, and we understand the illustration he is painting for us to help us remember a concept, a truth, a holy precept that is intended to help us remember who we are, why we are here, how to be, or perhaps to challenge us to think critically, to touch the feeling part of us that creates a specific action or emotion. Indeed, there is always a higher purpose to his words — in this, we can be assured. Of all the entrusted privilege and responsibilities a Pastor embraces, the space created as part of corporate worship we call “preaching” is an awesome and holy collection of moments not to be taken lightly. Words spoken have eternal implications for “those who have ears to hear”.
It is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. (1 Corinthians 2: 9 – 13)
Can it be said that often the Truth of God’s wisdom is so deep there is no possible way for us to connect to it than to invoke such story-telling, parables, blonde jokes, to help us gain the insight that is buried within? When we hear Truth spoken in such a way that we understand and feel the energy created by the flow of Truth, resulting in change, a shift in perception and perspective occurs. It’s what we call spiritual evolution or growth. Every time we cross another threshold in our physical experience as beloved spiritual beings, we come closer to knowing the Kingdom of God that is within us. Each one of us!
Thought for the day: God, help me to keep every blonde or dumb joke that is part of a message to me in the context in which it is given, that it might serve the purpose of moving me ever closer to knowing you in a more intimate moment by moment relationship!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.