Yeast and the Christian Life

33 Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”

Matt 13:33 (NLT)

There are three parables Jesus shares with the people about what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. This one is only recorded in Matthew and Luke. It is a simple parable and if you understand what yeast does than you can understand it. If not I will explain; yeast is a living organism it is actually a fungi, that when added to a flour water mixture creates a gas that causes bread dough to rise and is why your loaf bread is light and fluffy on the inside instead of a flat piece of bread like a piece of pita bread. Now the interesting thing about yeast is; if left setting to long it will grow old and die or if it is exposed to the right environment will go crazy and multiply rapidly. You see the woman’s intention was to hide the yeast; some translations call it leaven, But yeast is one of those things as a living organism that will grow and spread it is after all a alive. That should be our relationship with Christ. No matter how hard we might try to hide it. Jesus should slowly but steadily take over our lives replacing what was once just plain and lifeless with a new life full of growth in Him. Often though as Christians we are like yeast still in its pack sitting on a shelf by itself; there it is useless, but once you add it to the mix things change. As Christians when we become involved with others be it our families, friends or strangers each time we meet we should be spreading the love of Christ and allowing it to affect those around us. Once again though yeast will only grow in an environment that promotes it. So will you as a Christian if you are not praying and studying God’s word you are starving and what was once alive in you will surely die leaving you lifeless again. Have a blessed day in the Lord pick up you bible and read it today feed that that God has placed in you.