Emphasis Preaching Journal

Jesus points out two elements that are essential in understanding the Kingdom of Heaven: the mysterious, which seems impossible, like the growth of a mustard seed or yeast that makes bread rise, and deep love that gives rise to commitment, like selling all you have to buy the field that contains the treasure, or the pearl of great value. When these two elements are combined, the mysterious and the love that gives rise to commitment, powerful things occur. There is a beautiful cathedral in Vienna that was bombed during WWII. The Austrian economy was in shambles; most of the people were living in bombed-out hovels with barely enough food. Death had touched everyone, but in the midst of their own misery and tragedy, the people wanted desperately to rebuild their beautiful cathedral. They came out of nowhere and began the tedious process of rebuilding that cathedral. People who were hungry and grieving came evening after evening. After a hard day's work, men, women, and even children began to clear out the rubble, sort through the mess, and salvage what could be saved. Somehow, money began to come in, even though the country was bankrupt. That cathedral became a symbol of Vienna's determination to survive, to rebuild, and to prosper, even in the midst of desolation. The Kingdom of Heaven has those elements: the mystery of what seems impossible to the human mind along with love and desire which result in commitment.
-- Owen-Gemoets