Leven: April 27, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY APRIL 27, 2012.

LEAVEN

DEFINITION:

A substance that causes fermentation and expansion of dough or batter; an element that produces an altering or transforming influence; yeast.

SCRIPTURE:

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 leavened.” Matthew 13:33.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

In this fourth parable that Jesus taught most interpretations say that the woman is the harlot church that teaches false doctrine. There are two interpretations by Bible scholars concerning the leaven.

Some say that the leaven represents evil that penetrates the Kingdom of God and His church. Most will say that the leaven symbolizes the Kingdom of God that penetrates and works silently to transform man and society.

Our concern is not to get into a theological discussion but to relate this parable to us as believers today. Jesus is saying that it is the responsibility of the church (believers) to penetrate individuals and society with the gospel until the whole person and all of society is transformed.

The leaven represents the gospel. In the parable, leaven is compared to the gospel. Leaven makes bread soft and no longer hard. The leaven of the gospel penetrates the heart of a man and softens the hardness of his heart.

Leaven makes bread moist and no longer dry. The leaven of the gospel penetrates the dryness of a man’s heart and life. Leaven makes bread satisfying and no longer unfulfilling. The leaven of the gospel transforms the dissatisfied life with no purpose, into one with meaning and significance.

Leaven makes bread nourishing. The leaven of the gospel nourishes our faith. The growth of our faith will prepare us and inspire us to feed others with the leaven of the gospel.

Jesus seemed to want believers to understand how the Gospel penetrates to the heart and soul of the unbeliever by comparing it to leaven. Leaven works quietly and silently until it permeates the whole batch of dough. The Gospel, like leaven, works silently and quietly in the soul of those who receive it causing the dough to grow. The Gospel works slowly and gradually in the believer causing him or her to grow spiritually. Leaven changes the quality of the dough and not the substance. The Gospel leaves a new believer unchanged on the outside but on the inside he is a changed person. He has been made a person of perfect quality, a man of God.

LEARNING:

This week we are memorizing the eighth of the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:15.

You shall not steal.

PRAYER:

Help me to learn through Your teaching in this parable the importance of sharing the gospel with those who do not know You as Savior. Give me the words and guidance to be Your representative to someone today.