What is the kingdom of God like?
18Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?
Jesus is about to paint us a picture, a picture of something we don't fully understand. So, yes, a picture would be great. What IS the kingdom of God like? I am picturing something grand...
19It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.
I am no mustard farmer, but I know what a seed is. I am no botonist, but I know what to do with a seed. plant it, maybe water it, and something happens. Something I can't explain, but something happens. My part was easy, even natural, intuitive, it took no special training, no deep scientific understanding. I poked my finger into the ground, and dropped a seed in. God did the rest.
Great but what if I am not a fan of dirt?
20And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
Maybe this one is more down your alley, a picture involving less dirt, less watering.
21It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Leaven, or yeast, again it's simple, you don't have to be a baker to know how it works. You put it in, mix a bit, allow some time, dough grows. I've no idea how, but I know what happens, I've seen it with my own eyes we probably all have.
Great, but what does this look like in practice?
22And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
It looks like doing the thing we were already doing, journeying toward Jerusalem. But along the way dropping some seeds, mixing in a bit of yeast. Seeds and yeast are plentiful, and the burden is light, let's take it up.
28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.