February 20, 2024

Matthew 13:31-35 (HCSB)
The Parables of the Mustard Seed and of the Yeast
31 He presented another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It’s the smallest of all the seeds, but when grown, it’s taller than the vegetables and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the sky come and nest in its branches.” 33 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into 50 pounds of flour until it spread through all of it.”
Using Parables Fulfills Prophecy
34 Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables, and He would not speak anything to them without a parable, 35 so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: I will open My mouth in parables; I will declare things kept secret from the foundation of the world.

Neil Andrews
Mark, Luke and John each refer to the Kingdom of God, but Matthew recognized his primary audience was Jewish and honored their reverence for the sacred name by changing it to the synonomous term "Kingdom of Heaven" over 30 times in the gospel of Matthew. These verses carry profound significance. Here we read Jesus sharing two parables: the mustard seed and the yeast. The mustard seed represents the growth and expansion of the Kingdom of God. Just as a small seed grows into a large tree, the Messianic movement began with Jesus' humble beginnings and spread far and wide, impacting countless lives. It emphasizes the idea that God's redemptive plan can start from the most inconspicuous beginnings. The yeast represents transformation and penetration. The Gospel message (the Kingdom of Heaven), like yeast, works within the individual and society, bringing change from the inside out. It reminds us that the presence of the Messiah can transform even the most hardened hearts and ingrained systems. These parables resonate with Messianic Jews, emphasizing the transformative power of Yeshua (Jesus) and the continued growth of His Kingdom. It's a reminder that, through faith in Messiah, Jesus Christ, we can be part of God's redemptive work and bring His light to the world, even from the most unexpected places.