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Responding to the theme of "Harvest" from Ezekiel 47:12 and Matthew 13:23, Sammy Levine's beautiful film explores a tea company and considers the benefits of tea and the community it builds.

Ezekiel 47:12

Matthew 13:23

Leaves

By 

Sammy Levine

Credits: 

Video and Editing by Sammy Levine
Music by Jeffrey Leiser

Curated by: 

Jeffrey Leiser

2013

Image by Giorgio Trovato

Primary Scripture

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As the owner of a tea company, I get to travel through the tea fields of Taiwan and experience the technique of making tea. After picking, the tea leaf goes through a rigorous process of drying, withering, heating, and rolling. The result is a soothing and complex drink that has long been associated with important health benefits and healing properties. Tea is most enjoyed by serving and sharing with others.


This brings us to these two scriptures:


Ezekiel 47:12:


"Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing."


Matthew 13:23:


"But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."


In Ezekiel 47:12, we are reminded of trees growing on banks of a flowing river and on these trees are leaves that will not wither and are used for healing.


Just like tea leaves, Jesus was plucked and separated from his Father and came down to Earth. Going through a rigorous process, He died on the cross for the sins of humanity, but rose again and is seated at the right hand of the Father. In the cross, we find our healing.


In Matthew 13:23, we are reminded that we've received this healing but we need to plant this healing into the good ground so that it will bear many people coming to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.


Once healed by Cross of Christ, we are to not keep it to ourselves, but instead, are compelled to share this healing salvation with others.

Spark Notes

The Artist's Reflection

A graduate from the University of Central Florida, Sammy Levine moved to New York City in the summer of 2006. Although raised in a God fearing household and being saved, it wasn’t until his move to NYC that Sammy began the journey of following and getting to know the Lord. During the next few years, Sammy began to learn the Lord in fellowship with other saints as he worked any job he could to pay the rent. Whether it was at a cafe, a fine dining restaurant, movie theater, or driving a coconut water truck, Sammy learned the ropes of NYC and how to get by.


In the middle of all this, Sammy bought a camera, learned how to shoot and edit, and found a hobby that he quickly found to be pretty darn cool.


Learning the ins and outs of fimmaking as he goes, he has shot a handful of documentary shorts in NYC and has done freelance work for Vita Coco Coconut Water, Ardor Realty, and Family Cook Productions.


A son of a passionate tea drinker, Sammy has been traveling to the tea fields of Taiwan for the past couple of years and in 2013 started the tea company, Everlasting Teas. If you ever want to have tea with Sammy, contact him at sammy@everlastingteas.com and he’d be happy to sit down and serve you some of his teas.



Sammy Levine

About the Artist

Sammy Levine

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