May 25, 2026 -- Matthew 13:33 -- Spirit fueled transformation

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People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

33 He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” Matthew 13:33
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025)
 
Leaven is yeast, the active ingredient that worked into dough, causes the whole lump of dough to rise; the proportion for bread is something like 9 grams of yeast to 120 grams flour. That relatively tiny amount of Kingdom leavening is enough to make the whole Christian completely, internally changed. Notice that the Kingdom of Heaven must be worked into the people of God. When leaven is added to the dough, the dough is allowed to rise, and then it is kneaded, it is worked all through. That is hard work. Carolyn and I like watching some baking shows, where contestants are competing against one another to become the best baker. Each week the bakers are presented with challenges. Bread week is always fun. You see the contestants using all kinds of methods to work the dough. Some use mixers. Others punch it down with their fists. Others roll the dough, fold it, and slap it against the tabletop. It looks violent.
 
Too often our view of the Christian faith is all sentimentalized. It is like a sappy mental picture of Christians earnestly listening to the Gospel preaching and afterward going home and implementing all they have been taught. They don’t imagine it is hard work. But this parable, and many other lessons in the Bible, ought to disabuse you of that sentimental hogwash. Consider the Spirit’s work in you, kneading all the leavening throughout your life, as you read these examples:

  • As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another Proverbs 27:17. When iron is doing its work, sparks can fly! It is hard work.

  • Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Psalm 141:5

  • We can go on and on—think of Jonah, on rough seas, in the belly of a whale, sweltering in the hot desert sun before the LORD taught him and softened his heart.

If we are going to have the word of God truly penetrate us, allowing it to get past our defenses, our self-assurance, or our smug proudly held wrong beliefs, we need to have the lies crushed out of us. We need the Spirit of God, like a strong-armed baking woman, to knead us and work Jesus’ teaching into every part of our heart, mind, and soul.
 
I give thank to You, O LORD, with my whole heart; though You are seated on high, You care for Your lowly people. Father in heaven, by Your Spirit’s presence in me, fulfill Your purpose for me. Let the steadfast love You have shown me in Christ transform me in every way according to Your glorious goal for working out in me the fullness of Your salvation. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/y3gWwGDGgVA?si=RlA0SE0hXPCsHkm- Take My Life and Let it Be
 

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