Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field. Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof”, and in chapter thirteen and verse thirty-three of his book, Matthew wrote how Jesus tells His disciples another parable about how, “the kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven” where we read:
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.
The verse reads, “Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, ...” Matthew began with the words, “another parable” which means “one other narrative, fictitious but agreeable to the laws and usages of human life, by which either the duties of men or the things of God, particularly the nature and history of God's kingdom are figuratively portrayed and is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning” “spake he” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed Jesus” “unto them” which means “to the multitudes”; “the kingdom” or “the royal power, kingship, dominion and rule” “of heaven” which means “belonging to the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings” “is like unto leaven” or “is similar and has a likeness to fermentation which is inveterate mental and moral corruption, viewed in its tendency to infect others” “which a woman took” which means “that a woman lay hold of in order to carry”. Matthew shared how Jesus presented “another earthly story with a heavenly meaning” to the multitude, and this time He told of a “woman” who “took up” and held “leaven”.
The verse continues, “... and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.” Matthew continued with the words, “and hid in” which means “and concealed or mingled within” “three measures” or “three dry measures which is about three gallons” “of meal” which means “wheat flour”, “till” or “as far as or until” “the whole” which means “the entire and completely all” “was leavened” or “of the meal or dry measure was fermented”. Matthew shared how Jesus told the multitudes the woman “concealed” the “leaven” into “three dry measures” of “wheat flour” until the entire batch was “leavened”.
When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus used the idea of “leaven” and it's “fermenting” quality to share about the “kingdom of heaven”. In this “parable”, Jesus showed how “leaven” which is a symbol of “sin” throughout the Bible spreads through an entire body when it is introduced. God desires to have a relationship with people through His Son Jesus, and when they believe and trust in Him, they become a part of the “church of Jesus Christ”. There are influences within the “individual” and the “church” that are “sinful” and will spread throughout the body of Christ and that individual if not eradicated. Jesus will remove the “leaven” some day, but for now, those who belong to Christ must be aware and watch for it's impact.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus spoke, “all these things … unto the multitude in parables”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
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