Like yeast in a lump of dough, a little bit makes a big difference
In the thirteenth chapter of the book of Matthew, we read many parables of Jesus.
This includes the parable of the sower, the parable of the weeds, the parable of the hidden treasure, the parable of the pearl, the parable of the net, the parable of the mustard seed, and the parable of yeast.
The parable of the yeast is the shortest of them all, only one verse long. In comparison it seems insignificant and the point, easy to miss.
Part of the problem is that few people today know much about making bread. To make bread we mix several ingredients together. A key component in the recipe is yeast, sometimes called leaven.
Without yeast, the dough wouldn’t rise, the result would be more like a crunchy cracker then a fluffy piece of bread. A little bit of yeast makes all the difference.
Jesus wants us to remember this. We may see ourselves as yeast, perhaps small and seemingly insignificant, yet powerful in how we influence the world around us.
When we have Jesus in us, a little bit goes a long way.
Yet does it?
When we follow Jesus, he lives in us and Holy Spirit power is available to us. But do we use that to help others and impact our world? That’s what happens when the yeast of our lives is worked through the dough that surrounds us.
May we remember that we are yeast and our purpose is to affect the world for Jesus.
[Read through the Bible this year. Today’s reading is Matthew 11-13, and today’s post is on Matthew 13:33.]
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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3 replies on “We Should Live Our Lives to Influence Others”
In Matthew’s Gospel parable it is the Woman who adds the yeast! The power of the Holy Spirit is available to Christians who welcome the Woman who anointed Jesus into their hearts. Not realizing that she is Jesus the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, keeps the disciples from fully realizing the Kingdom of God. She is the hidden treasure that the disciples can find hidden in the field. In their joy they can sell all that they have and buy that field and She will arise and say to them and their Master: You cannot buy the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:18) If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned (Song of Songs 8:7).
Linda, thanks for the reminder that it was a woman who worked the yeast through the dough.
And thank you Peter for posting the post in the first place and for this reminder. The teachings and parables of Jesus are the dough!