The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus again asked, “Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?”, and in chapter thirteen and verse twenty-one of his book Luke shared how Jesus said, “is like leaven” where we read:
It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
The verse reads, “It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, ...” Luke began with the words, “it is like leaven” or “the Kingdom of God resembles and is similar to yeast which is a metaphor of inveterate mental and moral corruption and is viewed in its tendency to infect others”, “which a woman took” which means “that a female human being held in her hand, carried, took possession of and apprehended” “and hid in three measures” or “and concealed and mingled the leaven in three dry gallons” “of meal” which refers to “wheat flour”. Luke shared how Jesus said the “Kingdom of God” is similar to a “woman” who put “yeast” in three “gallons” of “wheat flour”.
The verse continues, “... till the whole was leavened.” Luke added the words, “till the whole” or “until the entire three gallons of wheat flour” “was leavened” which means “was fermented”. Luke shared how Jesus said the “leaven” hidden within the “wheat flour” remained there until the “entire” three “gallons” was fermented.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we see Jesus likened God's Kingdom to the “fermenting” affect of yeast in “wheat flour”. When “leaven” or “yeast” is added to “dough”, the expansion of the loaf becomes large, and the loaf is baked. God knew Jesus entering into the world would allow “the Kingdom of God” to advance, and yet, there was to be a large expansion of the “Kingdom” which would allow many participants within it. God wants people to be in a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and although His Kingdom is available to everyone, only those who submit their lives to Him as their “Savior and Lord” will actually be a part. Those who are wise will understand God's plan for the “salvation” of mankind into His Kingdom and yield their lives to Him to receive forgiveness of their sins and everlasting life with God.
Next time Luke shares how, “he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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