Jesus used metaphors drawn from nature and stories to teach people about who He was, who God was, and what the kingdom of God was about. His teaching style is fascinating to study. Jesus was very different from what his listeners conceptualized God to be. He did not use lofty language and grand proclamations in his preaching and teaching. He stayed away from intellectual arguments. His simple lessons were ones people could relate to, taught in stories all could understand, and most importantly, spoke to the conditions of their hearts.
In two of the gospels, writers Matthew and Luke narrate Jesus’ efforts to encourage his followers to think about lilies, how they grow. Without much effort on their part, lilies appear resplendent and beautiful in the world. To the Jewish people of the dusty province of Galilee, King Solomon was legendary. Stories of King Solomon’s fame, his achievements, his wealth and gold, his lavish lifestyle, his numerous wives and children, and his poetry and godly wisdom surely took root in their imaginations as they were passed down through the generations. King Solomon, larger than life, would have been culturally embedded in their minds and hearts as the epitome of human splendor and majestic glory. He was greater than all the kings in the earth in both possessions and wisdom.
Within this common understanding, Jesus says a startling thing. A simple, yet unique flower possesses a beauty that far surpasses the splendor and wisdom of Israel’s greatest king. Jesus tells the crowd that God dresses the lily with so much beauty it outshines the full array of Solomon’s glory.
Jesus’ message is timeless, speaking powerfully into lives over the centuries. These ancient words remind his followers today to consider the lilies. How they grow. And how they do not have to work to burst out in shimmering color. And the reason for that.
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Light and Momentary
I wouldn’t put this on a resume, but I am quite good at wrapping my mind and emotions around the tough things in life. That can be a good quality. It can also get me in a lot of trouble. I am able to shoulder burdens that are rightfully mine to carry, and burdens that
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Who Answers?
Did it ever occur to you that only the authentic God can answer? It occurred to me recently. Since we are creatures who innately worship something; there are other things that are worshiped passionately, and worshiped sincerely. There are other deities that are revered, honored, prayed to, and made the center of our world. There
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Rejoicing Bones
I wonder – was the consciousness of sin that the king of Israel of old, David, displayed, unique to that era? Today’s mantra,”if it feels good, do it,” is so far from the concept of sin in both the Hebrew and Greek scriptures.. The sins – adultery, lying, murder – that broke the heart of
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The cookie and the cross
It all started with an intention to abstain from certain things during the 40 days of Lent, a common practice observed by Catholics, and a practice that I agree with, in principle. As I look back to the cross – that horrible, wonderful event that secured freedom from sin – Jesus’ life is one of
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The other side of need
Do you know what would your life would look like if you didn’t have any needs? I doubt it. It’s hard to picture not having needs. From the first day of life, we are needy. We forget, but in those early days, we needed warmth. As babies we needed food and water. We needed to
Consider the Lilies 
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