Barefoot Follower

Inviting Reflection on the Stories of Jesus

  • Introduction
  • Mosaic
  • Lectionary
    • Sermons
  • Reflections
    • Gospel of Matthew
    • Gospel of Mark
    • Gospel of Luke
    • Gospel of John
  • Reviews
  • Contact
You are here: Home / New Testament Reflections / Gospel of Matthew / Story Time: Yeast

Story Time: Yeast

August 29, 2021 By Mark Beresford

A reflection on Matthew 13:33 for Sunday, August 22, 2021 at Mosaic Baptist Church

Photo: Mark Beresford

He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’

Matthew 13:33 (NRSVA)

The parable of the yeast is even shorter than the parable of the mustard seed. It is a single sentence. In the original it is all of nineteen words.

It is of significance that Jesus would tell such a story. We have already seen Jesus tell stories that peasant farming communities would easily understand and relate to. The parable of the sower. The planting of the mustard seed. Now, we have a story set in a kitchen speaking into the female context and experience of the time. Jesus is deliberately telling a riddle that will most naturally communicate to women.

Three measures of flour is a lot of flour. 27 kilos, in fact. Clearly, this is not one who making a single loaf for herself or even for her family. This is a story of plenty. It has echoes of generous hospitality.

In fact, it is unlikely that even relatively uneducated Jews could hear this riddle without being drawn to remember the account of Abraham’s welcome of the three visitors in Genesis 18. There the patriarch’s wife, Sarah, was asked to prepare ‘three measures of flour’ and host, unknowingly, the creator of the universe.

Perhaps, like the yeast Jesus refers to, Sarah’s hidden action was doing far more than she ever imagined.

It is tempting to see the parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the yeast as twin parables that reinforce one another. Certainly both yeast and mustard seeds are small, alive, and hidden. The two stories are told side-by side and both go uninterpreted.

I am drawn, however, to Matthew’s description of the yeast as ‘mixed’ into the flour. So often we think of the ‘kingdom of heaven’ as holy and separate. We compartmentalise religion keeping the secular and sacred apart. Religion, we often hear, is something relegated to the private sphere.

Of course, this is strangely unrealistic. As adherents to another kingdom, we remain, at least for now, in the kingdom of the world. We are part of it even though as struggle with such a tension. Perhaps this is why the telling and explanation of the ‘wheat and weeds’ parable surrounds these two micro-parables. Until the end of the age we remain part of a world of both good and evil.

Essentially, good and evil are ‘mixed’ in this world – and in us.

And yet, this yeast-parable reminds us that this does not mean we loose potency. Yeast is not watered-down by being mixed into the dough. In fact, yeast does exactly what it is intended to do when it comes in contact with flour. It lightens and brings flavour.

Yeast, though small and hidden, makes a difference!

And so do you as you as you find in yourself both good and evil while inhabiting a world of both good and evil. You, inadequate and exactly where God has you now, are a capable of influencing for good the world God loves.

And that is a comforting thought!

Conversation Starters:

When do you feel most conscious of the difference your life makes? When do you feel most unconscious of this reality?

Are you prone to think of following Jesus as a ‘separating’ or a ‘mixing’ reality? Does your faith cause you to withdraw or engage with the world around you?

Filed Under: Gospel of Matthew, Mosaic Baptist Church, New Testament Reflections

Barefoot Follower: Inviting Reflection on the Stories of Jesus

The 'Barefoot Follower' site is a collection of passion-filled reflections, sermons, and reviews centred around the teachings of Jesus. Join me as we consider what these ancient, long-treasured documents might tell us about God and ourselves. For more information on the concept, purpose, and aspiration of the site please visit the Introduction page.

About the Site Author: Mark Beresford

Follower of Jesus, husband, father, barefoot runner, pastor, musician, speaker, lecturer, chaplain, and admirer of St Benedict. Read More…

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Archives

Recent Posts

  • Empowering for the Extraordinary: Keeping Pace with Jesus
  • Empowering for the Extraordinary: Giving Generously
  • Empowering for the Extraordinary: Costly Faith
  • Empowering for the Extraordinary: Everyone Gets to Play
  • Empowering for the Extraordinary: All About the Other

Search this site:

Copyright Stuff

All posts and comments © their original owners. Everything else is © Mark Beresford 2014. Mark's information can be reused or republished solely in accordance with the BY-NC-ND Creative Commons License. Please let Mark know if you would like to reuse any part of this site through the contact page. It is helpful and encouraging to learn how people are using the information.

Copyright © 2023 · Website by Your Web Presence · Log in