Parables of Christ - Part 13

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Leaven

The Audio Version of today’s note

The House of Bread · Voice Note For 20241015 - Leaven - Parables Of Christ - Part 13

Luke 13:20-21 KJV

[20] And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? [21] It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.13.20-21.KJV

Matthew 13:33-35 KJV

[33] Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. [34] All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: [35] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.13.33-35.KJV

Note for 20241015

This is such a short parable, I nearly forgot it. When I read the title, I assumed that it would be about the leaven of the Pharisees which we were warned about. We should be careful to assume we already know what we are about to learn or to be reminded of.

Now, we have heard of the leaven of the Pharisees before, even of the feast of unleavened bread associated closely at the time of passover. But, here, Christ uses leaven in a slightly different comparison. In me the question stirred, "have I understood the concept of leaven wrong then?"

You see, leaven (or yeast) is what makes the bread rise. It gives "body" to the dough. Leaven makes more of what you had at first, and when it is unleavened bread you want, a little leaven can spoil the batch. But, without leaven, your bread will not rise.

Today we see how Christ used leaven in a slightly different application than what we are used to associate it with in the Word of GOD, when he compares it to the Kingdom of GOD. Now consider Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as leaven in the earth. Who did that "leaven" give rise to, if not the nation of Israel? And what of Jesus and His disciples, did we not get the church of Christ from them? How large has the church grown from then?

At this point, you may think to yourself where is this going? Well, what would one Christian in a group of jurors bring? Or what about a Christian representative in parliament? Will that have an effect on the outcome of decisions? Leaven is thus more reflective of influence, whether it be good or bad, it will change the outcome. If it is a false doctrine, then obviously it will corrupt what is pure; but, if the influence is the Word of GOD, then it will bring salvation to an already corrupt world. So, we can see the leaven, on a scriptural basis, as doctrine. Something that will change the form of what you had at the start of it. So, can propaganda similarly be likened to leaven, even those things that influence what becomes trendy? So, by way of reason, within a knowledge of the Word of GOD, leaven is more closely described as an influence then.

While we are warned of the leaven of the Pharisees, who Christ called out as hypocrites and sometimes even called them the seed of Satan; the Gospel of Jesus Christ came to inform man of his Salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. If one disciple has the Word of GOD he can tell others and by the Word man can come to faith in Christ. Are we not called to be ambassadors of Christ to spread the Gospel of Salvation in Christ too? Then, a world without the knowledge of Christ can be brought to know Christ, by Whom we can gain entry to the Kingdom of GOD. In just two verses, Christ shared so much.

If leaven is, then indeed influence and/or doctrine; what doctrine do we follow, because what we have is the doctrine of Christ and the doctrine of man. Do we stand for the Kingdom of GOD, or a kingdom of this world? The doctrine of Christ, is what brings man to faith in Christ, giving him occasion to choose who he will follow. Now, will faith in Christ not enlarge the Kingdom of GOD based also on what we know of John 3:16?

But, this must be said at the same time too. If the gospel is not pure from Christ, it has become corrupted, then the risk is there that what is corrupt will increase amongst that which was pure at first. Lastly in this comparison, it must be known that it is GOD Who determines what is pure, according to what He has given to man as His Word. Man's opinion does not give substance to the Truth, it is wholly from GOD Himself.

It is Christ that said the Kingdom of GOD is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened; not me. Because Christ said it, I believe. Now what of all else Christ said? Did He not also say that the gospel shall be taught to all of mankind? Where has the gospel of Christ not been preached? Even the scoffers know the Name of Christ, to profane it. The atheists know what they choose not to believe in. Seen from that perspective, how wide has the gospel of Christ been preached in our current day? Who are those that repented not then, that we read about in the Book of Revelation?

Christ came to His own people, and they refused Him. He sent His disciples to preach the gospel to every creature, who refused Him then? Can you see how ripe the earth is for harvesting, both the wheat and the tare.

Selah, Shalom

Verse of The Day

(YouVersion - Expanded from verse 18)

Psalm 34:13-22 KJV

[13] Keep thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking guile. [14] Depart from evil, and do good; Seek peace, and pursue it. [15] The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, And his ears are open unto their cry. [16] The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. [17] The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, And delivereth them out of all their troubles. [18] The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. [19] Many are the afflictions of the righteous: But the LORD delivereth him out of them all. [20] He keepeth all his bones: Not one of them is broken. [21] Evil shall slay the wicked: And they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. [22] The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: And none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.34.13-22.KJV