It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened. – Luke 13:21
Yeast, another word for leaven, is used to make bread rise and become light and airy instead of dense as an unleavened loaf would be. Once leaven has been introduced to a dough, a small portion of the dough can be set aside before baking to provide the leavening (the “starter”) for the next day’s bread.
When Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven was “like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour,” the fact that it all was leavened was understood. If the emphasis is on the way yeast works, you realize that this process is present, though unseen, until the mixture is ready for the oven. You cannot interrupt or reverse it.
The Pharisee Nicodemus came to Jesus by night to try to understand what this teacher from God was proclaiming. Christ’s answer to him was clear, “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:2-3). Only those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior from sin will enter the kingdom of heaven. Once you believe, it is irreversible, like the process of yeast in bread dough. The Holy Spirit works to convict hearts, and the believer becomes a light in a world of darkness as he cooperates with and embraces God’s life-transforming work and tells others about his new life in Christ.
The New Testament Church began with a handful of disciples telling the Good News to anyone who would listen. Soon the known world had heard the story. Be persevering today. There are still many who need to hear and realize that Jesus Christ is their Savior. There is work to be done.
Today’s Verse: Luke 13:21
It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Acts 10:34-43
34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
