Planting and Kneading

 Matthew 13: 31-35

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

³¹ He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. ³² Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

³³ He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

³⁴ Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. ³⁵ So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:

“I will open my mouth in parables,
    I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”

These examples are pretty powerful in themselves,  but anyone experienced in gardening or bread-making can appreciate them more. (Perhaps this is a "call" for you to try one of these or both yourself!).  How small, almost invisible seeds yield huge plants, or how that harmless packet of yeast can puff up a quart of flour and some water (in one, or preferably, two "risings") delicious loaves of light bread is always a source of wonder.  God example, Jesus, of how our tiny prayers of faith, or acts of kindness (such as simply listening) can yield the effect exactly needed.  Such "success" makes one want to "do it again" just to see the effects.  May we fill our day with such mustard seeds or grains of yeast, and let their salutary results take effect. How many "loaves"  will we bring to the table tonight, or how many "sheaves of tall wheat" will go into our barn?

Bro. Rene