INFLUENTIAL LIKE YEAST

On today I would like to begin this blog by reviewing the words of Jesus in Luke 13:20-21 using several translations. They read as follows:

“And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.” (King James Version)

“It is like yeast kneaded into dough, which works unseen until it has risen high and light.” (The Living Bible)

“Again he asked, What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” (New International Version)

In these verses, Jesus is sharing an example of what the kingdom of God is like in a manner that His audience would understand for leaven/yeast was used in His day in making bread. Since most of us purchase our bread rather than make it, let me share some interesting aspects of yeast.

Prior to use, yeast is kept in a sealed package where it remains inactive; however, when the package is opened, and the yeast is placed in hot water, it is activated. Over time this yeast that appears small and insignificant when mixed in dough begins to influence the dough. The dough changes in size and enlarges. The dough does not affect the yeast but the properties of the yeast effects the dough.

In the beginning, God created the heaven in which the invisible kingdom of God resides, and then He created the earth with its visible inhabitants. He planned that the earth would be a colony in which His children had dominion (Genesis 1:26). His children’s lifestyle and culture were to mirror heaven. His children were created to be influential. His kingdom comes, and His will be done on earth can and will only happen as we allow ourselves to become as yeast. Despite the pressures or turmoil of the day, despite the magnitude of the situation in which we are placed, quietly and systematically, we will do the job of a change agent, influencing the world. So, lest you forget you have an assignment, remind yourself daily, “I am yeast in the kingdom of God.”