Just like the parable of the mustard seed, the parable of the yeast also points to something small that produces amazing results. But in Israel, yeast often represented sin, contamination, and evil. Did Jesus intend to speak of yeast that way in this parable? Apparently, he did.
The Bible says, only bread without yeast could be used at Israel’s feasts and the smoke of yeasted bread was unacceptable to God. Jesus had also warned against the yeast of the Pharisees, citing their hypocrisy as yeast. And Paul also wrote, “Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be part of a new unleavened batch”. Leaven (yeast) was regularly identified with the pervasiveness of sin and wickedness. So, mentioning yeast in a parable about God’s kingdom would catch the Jewish audience off guard. What was Jesus saying? It didn’t sound like he was talking about sanctified bread!
Today, just like in scripture, Jesus often used shocking imagery to make a point. God could use even something despised to produce great results in his kingdom. In the parable of the yeast, Jesus may well have been saying that a despised group of former fishermen, prostitutes, and tax collectors could permeate the dead lump of religious, judgemental, Judaism with the good news of the kingdom of God. And if God could use yeast, he can certainly use you and me!
“The kingdom of God … is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour.” (Luke 13:20-21).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, you who use the sinful, contaminated, and unexpected in your plans, please use me for your Kingdom to carry out your purposes and to spread your glory. Father thank you for looking past my messed up sinful state and calling me son. God, may your Kingdom keep spreading throughout your world. In Christ’s name, Amen.
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