The baking of bread has been a fascination to me since my childhood. Watching my great-grandmother knead good things together and place the warm result before me with butter and jam all over it, was and is still a vivid memory.
The scripture for today, caught my attention because of its reference to the art of bread making. Christ is talking with his disciples. He tells them a parable about leaven and flour or meal.
Yeast or leaven is a plant like microorganism that exists all around us. It is in the soil, on plants, even in the air. It has existed so long that it is referred to as the “oldest plant cultivated by man.” It is essential in bread making. The purpose of any leaven is to produce a gas (carbon dioxide) that makes a ball of dough rise and increase in size.
Could we say that the coming of Christ was somewhat like this process? He came as one man and began the fermentation process to a lost world. He is telling his disciples that they are not to hold the things they have seen and heard from him, close to themselves. They are to plunge into the world beginning with the person, the neighbor, the community, the country right where they are. They are the leaven that will increase the message of Christ to the world.
My great-grandmother had a starter leaven that she would use and replenish each time she baked bread. Couldn’t we say that believers in Christ are like that “starter” leaven that has been passed down from the time of the disciples to the present? We are to carry on permeating the dough that is each of our worlds with the gospel message. Perhaps our starter leaven came from our family before us, a friend, a pastor who took the time to invest their leaven of Christ into our life. We became a “starter” that then expanded to a new territory as an influence for Christ. That process brings to my mind…How will they know if we don’t tell them.
We are not to sit separated from the world where we are. In doing that, we risk another type of leaven to be hidden or plunged into the dough causing a much different result. The evil things of this world begin to raise the dough instead of the morality of Christ and his message. The dough can become corrupt. Unfortunately, we see evidence of that very thing in our world today.
We are leaven! We have the potential to increase the message of Christ all around where we are right now! Our experiences in each of our relationships with Christ are paths for others to follow!
Scripture For Today:
Matthew 13:33 Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened. (NKJV)
Prayer For Today:
Hello Father!Let us each be the starter of leaven in our homes, our neighborhoods, our communities. We ask that you empower each of us to be a testimony of your love, your forgiveness and grace. You have been with us through the darkest of valleys and on the highest mountains. Help us plunge your love and care for us into the world around us. Forgive us today of the sin that so easily can come into our lives, often hidden. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
My Grandmother Lewis was a phenomenal bread maker. She knew the feel of the dough,that just-right texture that meant perfection. Her “light bread” was indeed light, a soft center with a tender crust. Topped with her homemade butter, a heel warm from the oven was heaven in our hands–and in our tummies. When she christened my bread making efforts worthy of carrying on the tradition, I couldn’t have been more pleased.
The leaven of her life was prayer. Grandmother prayed for us in all circumstances–choosing a college or a mate, birthing our babies, facing illness and financial problems–we felt the power of her prayers.
And while I’m happy to carry on that bread making tradition–I love, love, love to make beautiful loaves and yummy cinnamon rolls and bierocks and biscotti–I want to be a “pray-er” like she was! That’s the tradition I want to carry on.
Miss you, Grandma. Thank you for your lasting legacy!
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We are so blessed with those who came before. They are our “ancient paths” to follow.