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The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough. -- Matthew 13:33
Also known as the Parable of the Leaven, and told right after Christ's parable of the mustard seed, this parable is obviously designed to follow up his earlier parable. This parable speaks of small beginnings and rapid progress of the gospel and Christians in the world.
Characteristics of Yeast.
a. The yeast was something materially different from the flour itself. It is a living organism that is very active. Another pecular thing about yeast is that dead yeast cannot have these characteristics.
b. The yeast does not belong to the nature of the flour.
c. Yeast is of a moving and exciting nature. As soon as it is introduced to the flour the moving process begins.
d. Does not destroy its identity, but alters its qualities.
e. Silent - Creates no noise or confusion.
f. Gradual - First one part is leavened, and then another.
g. Complete - Until it worked all the way through the dough.
We are called to be like the yeast. We are called to be living Christians who are very different from the world and yet active. Through the work of the Spirit in our lives we are called to slowly but steadily, silently but strongly, completely but surely work through the whole dough. Though we are small our impact can be very big.
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