It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour until it was all leavened. – Luke 13:21
Yeast, another word for leaven, is used to make bread rise and become light and airy instead of dense as an unleavened loaf would be. Once leaven has been introduced to a dough, a small portion of the dough can be set aside before baking to provide the leavening (the “starter”) for the next day’s bread.
When Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven was “like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour,” the fact that it all was leavened was understood. If the emphasis is on the way yeast works, you realize that this process is present, though unseen, until the mixture is ready for the oven. You cannot interrupt or reverse it.
The Pharisee Nicodemus came to Jesus by night to try to understand what this teacher from God was proclaiming. Christ’s answer to him was clear, “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:2-3).
Only those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior from sin will enter the kingdom of heaven. Once you believe, it is irreversible, like the process of yeast in bread dough.
The Holy Spirit works to convict hearts, and the believer becomes a light in a world of darkness as he cooperates with and embraces God’s life-transforming work and tells others about his new life in Christ.
The New Testament Church began with a handful of disciples telling the Good News to anyone who would listen. Soon the known world had heard the story.
Be persevering today. There are still many who need to hear and realize that Jesus Christ is their Savior. There is work to be done.
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