The following lessons are taught in this parable.
The kingdom of heaven starts from the smallest beginnings. The leaven, yeast was very small but it changes the whole character of the dough. All of us have had the experience in committees, boards, group discussions, where one person and their personality can make the difference for the good or the not so good.
It reminds us that even if we view ourselves as having minimal talents, we can make a difference, if we are persons of faith and moral integrity.
The Kingdom of heaven works unseen. We do not see the leaven working but in time we see the amazing results.
The kingdom of Heaven works from the inside. When the leaven is outside the dough it has no power. It’s all about what it does when it gets inside. It is our challenge to make new persons of ourselves and others. For followers of Christ that means effecting change from the inside. Discipleship is not about changing the facade of the house but changing the inner structure.
The power of the kingdom comes from the outside. If we are to make the changes that will bring about the kingdom, we need the help of someone outside, Jesus Christ, and the way we seek that help and cooperate with the helper, is through prayer.
Our yeast, our leaven, our simple acts of kindness and generosity can become the bread of compassion and mercy. May we become the yeast, that produces bread for the hungry, wine for the embittered, medicine for the sick, freedom for the captive, hope for those without hope.
Image: “yeast” by Konstantin Lazorkin is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.