Leaven

Good Morning! 

The usual use of the term “leaven” in Scripture is about its insidious nature to corrupt.  But, as I read Matthew 13, I note that Jesus speaks of leaven in a less derogatory way.  Let’s read …

Matthew 13:31-33 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Mustard Seed and the Leaven

³¹ He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. ³² It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

³³ He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”

I like both parables … both that Jesus uses to describe the kingdom of heaven.  My thoughts turn to Christ as being the true vine from which branches spring.  You remember what He told us … “I am the vine, you are the branches …”.  I  remember how the eleven remaining disciples cowered in a small room in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit empowered them to speak … and, in one day, over 3,000 men believing the message of Christ Jesus.  And it didn’t stop there … until the message was known throughout the known world.  Talk about a tree springing forth out of the ground!!! Wow!!! And it is STILL GROWING!!!

But let’s focus on verse 33 for a moment.  In my thinking, one of the applications here is about the Word of God.  Like the chemical reaction of yeast to water and sugar, the Word of God inserted in our lives with the power of the Holy Spirit within produces the positive result of a sanctified life.  Jesus told us … “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. “ I think it amazing that, after more than eleven years of writing Good Mornings, I can still open a passage of Scripture and find a fresh meaning.  The Word of God is a living testament to our Father who is in Heaven.  The more we study and meditate on this testament, the more it permeates our being and brings us closer to the true Bread of Life.

God bless each one of you this good, good day.  May He reveal Himself to you in word and deed.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer:  Father, work in me as You have spoken. Permeate my whole being so that I might be worthy to be Your representative. In the precious Name of Jesus. Amen.

Scripture for today:  Matthew 13:31-33