How to Recognize Jesus---Leonard Sweet, Premiered 02 May 2021 Lectionary LenTalk #59

About this sermon

Passages (Not Lectionary Passages this week) Psalm 30 John 21:1-19 For the story of Aaron’s rod as almond branch, see Numbers 17:1-11 For the story of Bezalel’s Golden Lampstand as Almond Tree, see Exodus 25:31-40 For the story of Jeremiah’s calling and the almond branch confirmation, see Jeremiah 1:1-12 It is in the mandorla that Jesus is depicted, and it is in him that opposites find connection. A bow is a branch whose ends are bent together by a string, and it is the tension that makes music as in a violin, or death as in a bow. The mandorla is the metaphor of opposites finding connection is Jesus. One of Vincent Van Gogh’s final paintings was his 1890 painting “Almond Blossoms,” completed just weeks before the 37-year-old painter took a French navy pinfire revolver, a Lefaucheux M1858, to his chest in a wheat field north of Auvers-sur-Oise, France. The painting was designed to hang in the bedroom of Vincent's brother (Theo) only son. Theo named his son after his uncle Vincent. Theo wrote to his brother Vincent on 31 January 1890 to announce the birth of his son and Vincent's namesake: Vincent Willem van Gogh. As a means of celebration, Vincent began work on a painting for Theo and his wife. He was very close to his brother and he sought to symbolize new life in the flowers of the almond tree for the birth of baby Vincent. Van Gogh loved flowering trees because they conveyed awakening and hope. But no flowering tree did so more than “The Awakening Tree,” the almond tree. Here is a link to Van Gogh's "Almond Blossoms." https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/almond-blossom/dAFXSL9sZ1ulDw?hl=en&ms=%7B%22x%22%3A0.5%2C%22y%22%3A0.5%2C%22z%22%3A8.913681565887593%2C%22size%22%3A%7B%22width%22%3A2.0569614332775314%2C%22height%22%3A1.2374999999999998%7D%7D The almond tree is called the Alpha and Omega tree because it is the first to blossom and the last to fruit. Almond in Hebrew means "the awakening one", because the almond tree was the first tree to awake from the sleep of winter and blossom. It spoke of the speedy and powerful result of light. The fruit matures in the autumn, 7–8 months after flowering.[ The Mandorla and Vesica Piscis is Life’s Fertile Crescent. You can’t do earth without heaven. You can’t be human without the divine. You can’t find yourself without losing yourself It’s not enough to be wise, you have to be innocent (Mt10:16). It’s not enough to be an adult if you’re not a child. You can be too smart if not admitting your ignorance. We would love for you to hit the "subscribe" button for these vlogs. Don't forget to Hit the Notification Bell so that you never miss our most recent video. Support Len’s Ministry through his 510-c-3 “SpiritVenture Ministires” (SVM) https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted... Become a SpiritVenture Ministries (SVM) Supporter at $9/month or a Tribe of Issachar Member at $49/month https://preachthestory.com/cart/​ Follow Leonard Sweet on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leonard.sweet​ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lensweet​ (Sweet’s daily micro-blogs) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lensweet​ (Sweet’s daily blogs) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/preachthestory​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/preac... (Specifically for preachers and others who love those who preach) Access sermons, conferences, and more Leonard Sweet activities: https://preachthestory.com/​ (hundreds of written sermons) https://www.facebook.com/thesalishsea... (Sweet’s newest publications) https://salishsea.press/​ https://the-salish.com​ (Orcas Island getaway cottages for board, staff and church advances (aka “retreats”) #LeonardSweet #Ichthus #153 #Mandorla #VesicaPiscis

Topics

• Jesus Christ