THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE YEAST

Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.” (Matthew 13:33 NRSV)

Yeast makes bread rise because of the bubbles of gas that it produces. When the yeast is mixed throughout the dough, the bread rises and has the proper rough and airy texture. But if all of the yeast is lumped together in one small part of the dough, the bread won’t rise evenly and will have big, empty holes in it.

Even so, the church -- the people of the Kingdom -- must be intimately involved in life, in the world, in the flour of humanity. When we have clustered ourselves together, fearfully barricaded behind sanctuary walls, we have created great, empty holes in God’s world that are filled with nothing but hot air. But if we, who call ourselves yeast, are willing to become so involved in the pain, the despair, and the laughter of life that our main concern is enabling people to grow into all that they can be -- then God’s bread will become perfect in quality, with yeast permeating every part of the dough.

Being involved with life -- intimately mixed through and through it -- sounds dangerous. Yeast dies in the oven, having lost itself to the creation of something new. May we also be willing to lose ourselves. 

-- Mike Hodge

#5216

THE PARABLE OF THREE BREADS

During a beautiful spring day, a young woman decided to eat her lunch in the park. On the nearest bench sat an old beggar who clutched an empty paper bag. His clothes were unkempt and he looked as if he had not eaten in days. So, the young woman sat next to him and offered him half of her sandwich.

With this act of kindness the beggar was transformed into a clean-shaven, well-dressed man. The empty bag he once held was now filled with three loaves of bread. “I am no beggar, but an angel, here to reward your act of kindness with a gift,” he said. “I have three loaves of bread and you may have one. But choose wisely. A bite from one will give you unlimited success, to eat from another is key to never-ending wealth, and a taste from the third will ensure undying love.”

The young woman thought for a moment. With success, she would always have a good job, but with wealth she would never have to worry about money or a career. Then she thought about her parents, grandparents, and friends, and how much they meant to her. “I will take the bread of love,” the young woman answered.

The angel handed the young woman the bread. After she took a bite of it, he handed her the remaining loaves and said, “You have chosen wisely. The bread of love bestows endless wealth and countless success upon those who possess it. Go in the peace of Christ and share your gifts with the world.” 

-- Author Unknown 

#5032

DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME

“For I received from the LORD what I also passed on to you: The LORD Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me."  (1 Corinthians 11:23-25 NIV)

I am to show that it is the duty of every Christian to receive the Lord's Supper as often as he can. ... The First reason why it is the duty of every Christian so to do is, because it is a plain command of Christ. That this is His command, appears from the words of the text, "Do this in remembrance of Me:" ... A Second reason why every Christian should do this as often as he can, is, because the benefits of doing it are so great to all that do it in obedience to Him; viz., the forgiveness of our past sins and the present strengthening and refreshing of our souls. ... 

-- John Wesley, from “Sermon 101” 


#4497

THE BREAD OF LIFE

Jesus said, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.” (John 6:51 NRSV)

Jesus Christ is the living bread of life -- bread for sustenance, bread for daily use. He is not cake for special occasions.

-- Unknown


#3611

THE FRESH BREAD OF HEAVEN

There is more of God available than we have ever known or imagined, but we have become so satisfied with where we are and what we have that we don't press in for God's best. Yes, God is moving among us and working in our lives, but we have been content to comb the carpet for crumbs as opposed to having the abundant loaves of hot bread God has prepared for us in the ovens of heaven! He has prepared a great table of His presence in this day, and He is calling to the Church, "Come and dine."

-- Tommy Tenney in The Heart of A God Chaser


#2838