Church Service 2021-06-13 “Cedars of Lebanon”

We've all had some of "those" days where everything seems to go wrong. Before lunch we just want to pack it in and go home lie in bed and medicate with Ben and Jerry’s ice cream while binging on NETFLIX. On those days if Barbara Walters were to ask us what kind of tree we were, we would say a Weeping Willow Tree. Not a mighty Oak or Cedar from Lebanon.

We can't be "pillars of strength" or "cedars of Lebanon" every day. There are times when being strong and unswayed is not only impossible, but is inappropriate -- even dangerous to our well- being.

• The Prophet Ezekiel lived in captivity by the River Chebar. When he was thirty years old, he had a vision of the future of the Hebrew nation and of all mankind.
• While living as strangers in a strange land they did not feel like mighty trees. Life had defeated them.
• The prophet gives them an image of hope.

22 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. 24 All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.

“‘I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’”

• Post COVID our world may feel like a strange land
• In today’s passage the prophet uses a familiar image we discovered in the teachings of Jesus.
• The parable the mustard seed. The shrub that provides shelter for the birds.
• God takes something small and creates a sanctuary from it.
• Jesus assures his audience that while the kingdom may begin inconspicuously, it will grow from its small beginnings in such a way that even the birds of the air will be able to nest in it.
• The kingdom of heaven will evolve to such a state that it will provide life and sustenance for all who are oppressed (Warren Carter, "Matthew", New Interpreter's Study Bible [Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003], 1770).
• The use of the mustard seed illustrates the "automatic" nature of the kingdom. Growth is built into the kingdom from its very beginning - It cannot help but flourish even as a seed naturally produces a plant. Thus, the parable reinforces the unstoppability of God's reign in the face of any opposition.
• The revived kingdom is described as a mighty tree, like the cedars of Lebanon, which grows so strong and stately that all manner of birds and beasts find shelter in and under its spreading, world-encompassing branches.
• It is God who has planted us.
• We produce fruit and branches for birds of Every Kind to nest in.
• Our ability to embrace, accept and love everyone unconditionally is our Spiritual Gift!
• Currently we are a remnant of who we were before COVID
• Some of our members and friends are still exiled.
• Many of God’s children who are seeking a faith community like ours have not found us yet!
• We are the mighty Cedar God has planted. We must stand tall so they can see us.
• God plants us with purpose.
• It is God who makes the low tree tall.
• God makes the dry tree flourish.
• Flourish? Yes we will flourish and once again have our branches full of life!
• Thus ends the lesson!