“He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it was worked all through the dough.”
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.””
- Matthew 13:31-35 NIV
In Matthew’s gospel, the parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the yeast are set right beside each other. I was reading these two passages earlier trying to compare them and find a few points a similarity. Of course, there is one big point of similarity if you think about it.
For most modern readers, the biggest point of similarity is that we really don’t have a lot of interaction with either mustard seeds or yeast. I have, in fact, never used yeast. Also, the spice set I received as a wedding gift actually came with mustard seeds, and I have never used them.
But I’ve been affected by yeast and mustard seeds. I’ve eaten bread and, though I am not a nesting bird, I have enjoyed mustard.
Now, there are people that interact with yeast and mustard. One such person in my brother.
At our last social gathering, my brother brought scratch made yeast rolls and cinnamon rolls which he baked fresh in my oven and presented to all the guests. The result was delicious. However, he’s pretty much the only person I know who works with yeast, and even he only does this on special occasions.
Most of the time we all just buy bread. We just experience the satisfying finished product. We never see the process.
Even in the ancient world, if you were not the baker then you likely did not see the yeast working with your own eyes.
As far as mustard seeds go, honestly, I don’t know anyone who grows mustard plants. Although, I’m sure these people do exist. From what I understand about mustard plants, most gardeners consider them an unruly plant, a weed if you will. And from what I understand about weeds, if the gardener in the story had caught sight of the sprout earlier then the would have probably pulled it out by the root.
You see, in these stories both the yeast and seed spread quickly, rise without much notice, and, in a short amount of time, mature enough to satisfy the needs of God’s creatures. They provide habitat for birds and sustenance for people.
For those who don’t pay attention, you will never see yeast at work. You will never see it warm and grow. You will never realize that bread is a miracle.
For those who don’t keep an eye on their garden, you will never notice the mustard plant at work. Although, if you did see it you might even mistake the plant for a nuisance.
God hides the work of the Kingdom from those who would not appreciate it. Jesus speaks in parables to hide the mysteries of God in plain sight.
If you’re watching closely you can see the new Kingdom of God springing up all around you. Like a weed growing in your own garden, it just cannot be stomped out. Like yeast baked into your own meal, it rises up bringing the whole world with it.
I pray Jesus gives us eyes to see this new Kingdom and hands to till the soil and strength the kneed the bread so that one day all needs might be satisfied. Amen.
Kena Hawkins Newkirk 