Then he said, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed that a person took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and ‘the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches."
20 Again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed [in] with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”
Jesus gave his audience some insights into what the kingdom of God was like. The key to these two parables was not the smallness of the beginning and the great size at the end. While that is the result, it is the growth over time that is more important. The mustard seed grows to be a place where, “The birds of heaven nest; among the branches they sing (Ps. 104:12).” If we view the mustard seed as Jesus’ revelation of the Kingdom of God, many will come, Jews and Gentiles alike, and take refuge in it. Jesus encouraged the disciples to have faith that the Gospel would be spread abundantly.
In the second parable, God’s kingdom was compared to something sinful. Leaven was used to connote something unclean or corrupt. Jesus said, “Look out, and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Mt. 16:6).” A woman played a key role implying that God’s kingdom was not for men alone. The woman mixed yeast into about 60 pounds of wheat flour and the yield was abundant. God’s Kingdom has the power to transform whoever it touches. Like leaven, The Kingdom is hidden from the wise and learned (Lk. 10:21). Those who open their eyes and ears will see and hear the kingdom and will witness its amazing power to grow.
Almighty God, help us to see your works in all that we do so and glorify your name. Help us to hear your word and be transformed by your Kingdom on Earth so that we may come to the fullness of revelation in your Kingdom in heaven. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Expanded Edition, Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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