When Trees Speak

Text:  Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Theme:  “When Trees Speak”

7^th Sunday after Pentecost

July 27, 2014

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Denton, Texas

Rev. Paul R. Dunklau

+In the Name of Jesus+

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[a] of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

He was always talking about the “kingdom of heaven.”  He was almost a Johnny-One-Note on that.  Out from His mouth came lots and lots of stories about “the kingdom of heaven.”  There’s not very much about the kingdom of Israel or the kingdom of Palestine – both of which are in the news these days.  There’s nothing about Libya (where the U.S. embassy was closed yesterday) or Ukraine.  The ethnic background, the political point of view, how much or how little money people made, the economy (whether it be free market or command and control) -- all of that was certainly touched on here and there by Jesus of Nazareth.  But what He kept rattling on and on about was the “kingdom of heaven.”   It must have been something important.  Kingdom of heaven!   It sounds almost otherworldly.

So here we are, and, to a person, we are very much in the world.  Otherworldly stuff is the domain of creative people, screenwriters.  Besides, all of this talk of heaven sounds so religious.  People don’t talk about that much in public anymore.  There are so many differences of opinion, and we don’t really want to start arguments or upset someone else’s applecart.  So it’s best to keep heaven and religion and all of that confined to Sunday mornings. 

Speaking of being in the world, our own Beverly Hoch is very much in the world.  But she’s in another part of it.  She’s in Israel.  A couple of weeks ago, I told the Old Testament story of Jacob’s well from this pulpit and wrote about it in the Celtic Cross.    Just a couple of days ago, through the marvels of modern technology, I get this email from Beverly:

Dear Pastor Paul:

Just read your Celtic Cross article and guess what…that location is on the Yitav property!  I will bring photos of a ladder an artist constructed at the spot.  We looked over the Jordan valley where Joshua crossed over, too…  This has been an amazing time..we are traveling with such heavenly protection, no doubt because of the faithful prayers being sent our way.

She’s due back on Thursday.  But, for the time being, she’s in the holy land because of the One who told all those otherworldly stories; she’s there because of that mustard seed, that yeast, that treasure in the field, that pearl of great price, and the net let down in the lake.  She’s there because she knows something of the kingdom of heaven and all its treasures.  And she knows the power of music when it comes to sharing the kingdom of heaven.  The same goes for Virginia Thomas.  At her memorial yesterday at Good Sam, her love of music and the church’s song was evident everywhere. 

When Jesus finished his stories on that day, today’s gospel reports that He asked His listeners a question:  “Have you understood all these things?”  “Yes,” they replied.  Jesus said:  “Every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

My friends, we cannot rush back to the old in reaction to the new or because we do not like the new; neither can we run, full throttle, to the new with little if any regard for the old.  We need BOTH the old and the new if we are to be disciples in the kingdom of heaven.

A number of years ago, I made the acquaintance of an American Indian.  I can’t remember which tribe he was a part of.  We were outdoors as I recall.  He pointed out some trees to me.  He said, “We call them ‘silent people.’ Without saying a word, they tell us much and are valuable to us.”

What if trees could speak?  I wonder what they would say.  When you leave church (and most of you do through the big, red, double-door), look to your left.  You will see the largest, oldest tree on our grounds.  It has a huge trunk.  Obviously, for years it has had that wonderful balance of food and water.  The shade it offers is wide.  Then turn to your right.  You will see, still supported by stakes in the ground, the youngest and newest tree at First Presbyterian.  I’ve glanced at it so many times since it was planted.  There was a period when I thought it wouldn’t make it.  But look at it today.  It’s thriving. 

Some hold on to the old and cling to the past because they are afraid of the new.  They are, thus, immobile – or, as some say of Presbyterians, they are the “frozen chosen.”  Others rush to the new because they think the old is of no value.  “Forget the past; it’s all about what’s happening now.”

Both are wrong.

We need the old; we need to remember who we are and where we came from.  And we need the new.  As disciples of Jesus Christ, we have a mission in this world and not just an hour a week to practice for the sweet bye and bye.

Jesus, that great storyteller, gave His life so that we might have His treasure.  His treasure includes the best of the old and of the new, the best of the past and of the future. 

It’s an incredible life, really – embracing the best of the past as you look to the future with hope.  It starts with knowing that you are, as Jesus said, a disciple in the kingdom of heaven.  Don’t let anyone tell you differently –even yourself.

Take a look at the trees right outside our door. One is on the right, and the other is on the left.    Say a prayer for Beverly’s safe return and a thanksgiving for Virginia’s life too.  And have a blessed week!

Amen.