I love the Harry Potter books and movies. My wife and I watch all 8 movies every year and frequently listen to the audiobooks before going to bed. Even if HP isn’t your thing, I hope you stick with me. Jesus often taught using parables. Following in my Rabbi’s footsteps, I want to show you how the kingdom of God is like a Golden Snitch.

Understanding Quidditch

Quidditch is a popular game in the wizarding world, consisting of seven team members on flying brooms. There are 3 Chasers, 2 Beaters, 1 Keeper, and 1 Seeker. The Chasers control the Quaffle, trying to throw it through one of three hoops which are guarded by the Keeper. Whenever the Quaffle goes through a hoop, the scoring team is awarded 10 points. The Beaters are the enforcers on the team. They protect the Chasers and Seeker from the two flying Bludgers, and also attempt to direct the Bludgers at the opposing team. The Seeker’s job is to find and catch the golden Snitch, a small golden ball that moves incredibly fast. The game ends when the Seeker catches the Snitch. By catching the Snitch, his team is awarded 150 points.

So, How is this like the kingdom of God?

1. The Value of the Snitch

First, the Snitch the most valuable object in the game. A team could be down by 14 goals and still win the game if the Seeker finds the Snitch.

Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33), and compares the kingdom of God to a man who found a fine pearl, and in his joy sold everything he owned to possess it (Matthew 13:44-46). There are a lot of things in life that we can and ought to seek. If we don’t look for a job, we won’t be able to provide for ourselves. If you don’t seek a spouse you will never have children. But seeking God’s kingdom is more important than any of these.

2. In the Game, but Not of It.

Second, the Seeker is in the game, but he is not playing the same game as the other six team members. Seekers are concerned with the Snitch and never attempt to score with the Quaffle or stop the other team from scoring.

Paul told Timothy, “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer” (2 Timothy 2:4). There are many games that the world plays: get the most power, have the most status, sleep with the most women, accumulate the most money, to name a few. If we want to be seekers of God’s kingdom, we can’t focus on the “quaffles” around us. We all live in the world, but when you become a follower of Christ, your primary citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).

It is so easy to get distracted, but we must always recenter on the true Snitch.

3. Slow and Steady

Third, looking for the Snitch isn’t efficient. For most of the game the Seekers are sort of flying around aimlessly. It appears that they aren’t contributing to the rest of the team, but the work they are doing is vital to achieving the end result.

Jesus valued people that society did not. He spent time with children and said that the kingdom of God belonged to those who were like children (Matthew 19:14). He often withdrew to quiet places to pray even when people were begging for his attention. He spent most of his time in small villages and didn’t have much of a presence in the big city. His closest followers were uneducated, blue-collar guys rather than religious elite. Wouldn’t it make more sense to go after those with influence instead?

God’s kingdom functions differently than the world. The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. It starts as a tiny seed, but one day will grow and spread and become the largest plant in the garden (Mark 4:30-32). Because God is patient and gracious, he often transforms us and others more slowly than we would like. This slow work allows roots to grow deep into the soil so that it can bear the weight of growth and the storms of life.

Fun fact, the average apple tree takes 4-5 years before it produces any fruit. It makes sense for spiritual fruit to behave similarly.

Conclusion

What are you looking for?

What do you desire most?

Everybody is pursuing something, but not everybody has articulated what it is they seek. Many of us end up on the conveyor belt following society’s expectations, or we float about from one dopamine hit to another without giving it much thought.

God made you unique and he made you for a purpose. I pray that you would find the purpose and passion that God wired in you, and then give you the courage and diligence to chase after that with all your heart.