Leaven is Amazing

Matthew 13:33 "The Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven - which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened."

What in the world is leaven? How can whatever that is be like the Kingdom?

For starters - leaven is not yeast. Leaven comes from a bacteria naturally present in the air - and is similar to what allows sour-dough bread to rise. Yeast however - is literally an entirely different animal. It will help to know how to grow naturally occurring leaven. First, mix equal amounts flour and water. Then, daily throw half of the mixture away - and add a little fresh flour and water. Protect the mixture by storing in a good environment. leaven is air-borne - and will naturally mix into the mixture a bit more each day until it is sustaining enough to turn large quantities of plain old flour and water into mouth-watering, amazing bread.

For centuries - this was how nearly everyone who ate bread - went about having bread that would rise. Little foil packets of yeast powder sitting on grocery store shelves would have been impossible for your ancestors to imagine. In those days - bread was integral to survival - made from whole grains, stone-ground - it made survival deliciously possible.

Last Sunday night we discussed in group just how awesome it is that God compares the Kingdom of Heaven to leaven - here are some of the analogies - but there are many more to add!
Leaven's available to everyone - no one is excluded from the kingdom
It's free - the bacteria that results in leavening is in the air
It's delicious - it's awesome that God's Kingdom is like something so sublime and enjoyable?
It needs daily feeding - God wants to be in our lives daily
It's unique - leaven from one area has a unique flavor - God wants you be like you!
It's a process - there's no instant leavening available
It's a great equalizer - until factory bread the everyone ate bread made the same way
We love it - have you noticed what premium artisan bread goes for? People value the genuine article.
Leaven grows - leavened dough can grow by 4, 5 or even 6 times its original size!

Isn't it awesome - that Jesus said that His Kingdom is like leaven?