Jesus told stories…he called them and we still call them “parables.” Depending on what actually counts as a parable, Jesus offered up between just over 30 and just under 50 of them.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus asks his listeners to understand the Kingdom of God…a reality they couldn't see with their physical eyes. So his stories were meant to appeal to the sensitivities of his hearers’ hearts, o a place within them where they would have eyes that see and ears that hear this new reality.
In his stories, Jesus is inviting us to see with new eyes, and hear with new ears, and understand with new hearts…Inviting us not so much to make a difference in the world, but to make a different world.
Maybe a story about ducks will clear this all up.
Let’s see on Sunday. The sermon, delivered by Rev. Ned Steele, is titled “Eyes That See and Eyes that Hear”. It arises from Matthew 13: 1-17, which will be read by Courtney and Kyle Degener and family. We will be led musically by the Chancel Choir, accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs. Stephanie Conklin will offer a mission moment in support of “Sing for Joy: All That Jazz 2025”, a concert in memory of Janis Stockhouse, longtime music educator and band director at Bloomington High School North. We’ll sing, pray and have a moment for children.