“He spoke another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three sata (about 48 lbs) of flour until it was all leavened” (Matt 13:33).
The kingdom of God works through small things.
Yeast is extremely small. One yeast cell is 3 or 4 thousandths of a millimetre. THAT’S SMALL! A little handful of baker’s yeast (which is actually billions of yeast cells) can leaven a lot of dough…just ask our cooks.
In the Bible, the work of God often occurs through something small such as a scarlet cord; a shepherd boy; a handful of flour; a baby in a manger; five loaves, and two fish or a mustard seed.
God often works through the insignificant, the weak, the “foolish” and the broken. His power is made known through weakness and His ways are not like ours. It’s not by our strength or wisdom that God’s kingdom advances. No, it’s by His life-giving Spirit. Although unseen, God’s Spirit can work through a little bit of kindness, a smile, a word of encouragement, or a little bit of faith in God … big impact!
The kingdom of God infiltrates that with which it comes in contact.
When you add yeast to the dough, the yeast feeds off the sugars in the flour and gives off “bubbles” (carbon dioxide) and this explosion of growth causes the dough to expand or “rise” as it is warmed and then baked in the oven. Incredible growth!
God’s kingdom can work its way into families, communities, businesses, governments, countries, and even our sinful hearts. His kingdom infiltrates anywhere! The influence and advancement of God’s kingdom is powerful. In Scripture we see how He reconciles sinners to Himself; He makes fisherman into fishers of men. He moves the heart of a king. He brings nations to repentance. He softens the proud heart and He makes dead people come alive. God’s kingdom can infiltrate into any system, organization, or person and break through… big time!
The kingdom of God will be completed one day.
When yeast is added to the dough it permeates the ENTIRE lump. The yeast comes into contact with every part of the dough. There is a finalization or completion to the rising of the dough.
Scripture says that “He who began a good work in you will carry it out to completion, until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:6). The work of God in each person’s life as well as His work in the world will be completed one day. It is comforting to know that God is not finished with us yet. However, ONE day He will complete the good work that He started. Jesus said, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matt 24:14). The kingdom of God will grow to the point when it is completed and there will be a harvest… a big harvest!
Even through small things God can change the world. Wherever He is at work… nothing can stop what He’s doing! Even the gates of hell will not prevail against the kingdom of God and one day He will return and the work He began in us will be completed!
Sin will be vanquished! Sorrow and sadness will flee away! There will be no more pain, no more loss, and no more death! For those of us who have put our faith in Christ, God has prepared a magnificent, eternal place …a big place with a great, great God!
Praise the Lord!
By: Barry Friesen
