He said therefore, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.’  And again he said, ‘To what should I compare the kingdom of God?  It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’

Ok, I am going to do it. I am going to send you the link to a video that has gone pretty viral on facebook. If you have already seen it, I am sorry if this a repeat. If you haven’t and like TED talks at all…here is a good one….

http://www.ted.com/talks/amanda_palmer_the_art_of_asking.html

This video is 13 minutes about the art of asking.  The art of seeing each other could be another way to describe it.  Amanda Palmer is a kind of funky rock and roll musician who has taken a journey throughout life and has figured out that it is ok to let people love on you and love on them back essentially.  She is an evangelist when it comes to connecting with others.  That might come through eye contact, couch surfing, crowd surfing or performing in all sorts of spaces and through her talk she convinces us that we must connect in unusual ways in this social media centric world…she even finds ways to connect there as well.

I am curious about the fact that this video has gone completely viral all over facebook and in my email inbox.  I am convinced (as I preached last Sunday) that people are yearning for connection and community.  This is why the Improv Everywhere videos are so great.  This is why TED talks have really taken off (I say as a fellow TED talk addict). This is why facebook is a such a big deal and new forms of community are appearing on the scene.  We are hungry for connection. Actual connection.  Where community is involved.  And the idea is spreading like….well, mustard seed.

When Jesus is talking about mustard seed and yeast, he is talking about everyday things.  He is teaching by the Sea of Galilee and looks down to find his object lesson.  It isn’t exotic but it is tangible and real.  We make a lot out of the mustard seed but the reality was that it was everywhere, it grew well and fast, and it grew from small to taking over.  It made an example out of what we yearn for…the kingdom of God, community, love and peace and told us that little by little it will go viral.  Yeast is a living organism used everyday and it also starts little and takes over…like a viral good video about community.

So enjoy Amanda Palmer this morning and I guarantee it will get you thinking.  And then let me know your thoughts. 🙂 That’s what parables are supposed to do…get us thinking and talking.

Peace,

Court