Our reading begins with Jesus asking us a question. I find that questions usually bring about some of my greatest insights, especially when I am prayerfully pondering the question. Now in this case Jesus also answers the question for us as we see in the following:
Jesus asks “What is the Kingdom of God like?”
It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches.
Jesus asks “What else is the Kingdom of God like?”
It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.
For the purpose of this blog I am going to stay focused on the value of asking questions because questions can clarify, reveal and can lead us into meaningful self-examination.
Questioning as an instructional tool can be traced back to the fourth century BCE, when Socrates used questions and answers to challenge assumptions, expose contradictions, and lead to new knowledge and wisdom. At his trial for heresy Socrates said “An unexamined life is not worth living.” He also understood the importance of self-examination, or questioning oneself.
In the following verses the Bible speaks about the importance of self-examination.
· 2 Corinthians 13:5. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves ...
· Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them,
and let us return to the Lord.
· 1 Corinthians 11:28. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.
· Galatians 6:4: Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,
Jesus’ two examples illustrates that the Kingdom of God starts small and grows big. A mustard seed becomes a tree. A little yeast used creates a beautiful loaf of bread. He wants to grow His Kingdom in you and I each and every day.
I would like to encourage you to begin your day by asking God if there is a question He would like to ask you. Than resist the temptation to defend yourself, deflect or answer quickly, but rather shoot for the moon by first following the Psalmist prayer “Create in me a clean heart Oh God and renew a right spirit within me.” Then let the examination begin and know that He is a good Father that only wants to bestow good things upon you and He will journey with you through the process of Biblical self-examination so that His Kingdom might grow and be made alive through you every day.