Images build up not only our perspective on what it is to
have faith but also build hope that allows us to maintain when hardship comes.
The Reign of God proclaimed by Christ Jesus to be at hand is sometimes obscured
by events in our world. Matthew assures us through several images that the
Reign is at work in small things: a seed, yeast, a pearl.
Matthew 13:31-33,
44-52
The general purpose of these
parables is to assure the dispirited Matthean community that the realm is
coming and to help guide them in responding to it. The parable of the mustard
seed. . . suggests that Jesus and the Matthean community who witness to the
realm are to the world like the tiny mustard seed going into the soil: Compared
to other peoples and movements, Jesus and his community are almost invisible.
However, just as the mustard seed becomes the greatest shrub, so the realm will
overtake the present evil age. The birds represent gentiles having a place in
the realm (e.g., Ezek 17:22–23; Ps 104:12; Dan 4:10–12, 20–27).
These parables in 13:44–45 compare
the experience of discovery in the parable to the experience of discovering and
responding to the realm of God. In verse 13:44, the discovery of the treasure
is accidental. In 13:45, the discovery of the pearl results from an intentional
search. In both cases, the. . . finders respond by making a complete commitment
to the treasure and the pearl.
According to Matthew 13:47–50, when
God ends the present age, every person (fish of every kind) will be gathered
for the last judgment. . . Matthew thus urges the listeners to recognize the
realm growing like a mustard seed among them and to respond like those who
found the treasure and the pearl. – Ronald J. Allen
1 Kings 3:5-12
In the Deuteronomic theology, the
monarch has a special responsibility for leading the community in obedience
(Deut. 17:14–20). At the beginning of his reign, Solomon dreams that he prays
for God to give him the qualities of the ideal deuteronomic ruler. . . .
God promises to give Solomon an
understanding heart as well as riches and honor. However, these promises are
contingent upon Solomon being obedient in the deuteronomic way. Before this
dream, Solomon has already set in motion behavior that will undermine his
faithfulness by making a marriage alliance with Pharaoh and bringing his new
wife into Jerusalem where she will worship her Egyptian deities. In his dream,
Solomon may have fueled his prayer with the best intentions. But for the
deuteronomist, actions count. The reader is not surprised when the monarchy
breaks into two nations that both fall to the Babylonians. This passage is thus
both inspiration and warning. – Ronald J. Allen
Romans 8:26-39
Paul . . . assures the community that when they are confused by the suffering accompanying the coming of the new world (Rom. 8:18–25), the Spirit will pray aright for them. . . . The community should not be dismayed by the difficulties of the tribulation but can recognize that God long ago predestined these things to eventuate in good, that is, in the coming of the eschatological world.
The notion of predestination here
affirms for the community that history is under God's control. Romans 8:31–36
(cited so often at funerals) is the climactic assurance. . . . No matter how
difficult the situation of the community, they can remain faithful in the
confidence that beyond the suffering lies life indescribable. – Ronald J. Allen
Ronald J. Allen is professor of preaching and New Testament at
Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Homily Service 41, no. 3 (2008): 118-127.
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