First Mennonite Church
November 9, 2025
Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
Text: Matthew 13:31-35
We should remember that before Jesus began to tell parables about the kingdom of heaven, he had already spoken about the kingdom of heaven or of God some 14 times. Thus, we might wonder: what must have gone through the minds of his disciples every time Jesus mentioned this phrase before he started telling them these parables? The disciples must have had their own vision of what a kingdom entails: power, royal figures, grandeur, pomp, a geographical location, etc. Yet, it is until chapter 13 of Matthew that Jesus begins to clarify the nature of the kingdom he had been announcing. It is until this chapter that Jesus begins to explain through tales, of what could be daily occurrences and of the natural world, to describe how the kingdom of heaven operates.
I know we would prefer Jesus had described for us the kingdom instead of telling stories to compare it. We would prefer we had been given black and white information than to hear or read stories about something. Could that be because we have gotten lazy to use our imagination, or is it because we have gotten used to getting information visually?
Therefore, what is it we should be looking for when we study the parables of Jesus regarding the kingdom of heaven? Some have proposed that we look for the “theological nugget.” That is, we should find the truth Jesus intended to communicate through a story—the parable. Some others have proposed that we should find the “spiritual wisdom” Jesus wanted to reveal through an everyday situation. According to proponents of this approach, the goal is to discover the “spiritual wisdom” there is to help us modify our beliefs and behavior. And still yet, others suggest that the goal of the parables is simply to show us something to imitate or reject. A good case for direct imitation is the lessons found in “The Good Samaritan” parable: “go and do likewise.” One example of what to reject is the selfishness and indifference of the rich man found in the parable of “Lazarus and the Rich Man.”
We should realize that many of the parables Jesus told are given to clarify some aspects of the reign of God—the kingdom of God. That means, then, that we should first try to discern what it is within the story that illumines our understanding about the presence, work, and will of God, that Jesus intends to reveal. We must first understand what God is doing and how is he working. Once we discover that, then we can join in God’s work to do his will. This should be our goal every time we study Jesus’ parables when he speaks about the kingdom of heaven.
The parable of mustard seed and of the yeast are one-line parables, lacking much details in them. Both of them highlight things unnatural and unexpected, yet also, the supernatural and surprising about the nature of the reign of God.
Jesus was clear about the size of the mustard seed. Yet, he said that when it grows, it becomes a big tree. Through this illustration, Jesus underscores the power of God’s intervention through Jesus and his message, that although small and ordinary, and through ordinary people, it will, nonetheless, become amazingly large and powerful movement. God’s new engagement in the world through his Son will shake the foundations of the world and begin a new chapter in human history.
The image of a giant tree that grows out a small seed illustrates the prominence, presence, and power of the kingdom Jesus was proclaiming. The positive impact of this large shrub, grown out of a small seed to become shelter and resting place for birds is truly amazing. It was a reality already happening through Jesus’ ministry and through the mission of his disciples. God’s presence, work of power, and salvation were visibly present and the desperate crowds were receiving the message and finding God’s embrace. Through the image of a large tree, Jesus draws from the Old Testament. Such images of gigantic trees representing power, an expansive reach, and majesty are found in Daniel and Ezekiel. The kingdom heaven, says Jesus, will gain visible prominence among all other plants and become the welcoming host to those seeking refuge and rest. God’s reign was present and is still to come in its fullness.
Envisioning such a glorious kingdom must have been difficult for the disciples. The disciples must have found hard to wrap their heads around such idea that the newness they found in Jesus would swell, like a river breaking its banks. You see, they were following the son of Galilean carpenter who was an itinerant preacher. They were fully aware of how small and insignificant their group was compared to the established religious institution—with a temple with a long-established ritual system, with a priesthood and officials who had God-like power to determine who is in and who is out. Jesus and his small movement, on the other hand, was like a mere drop of fresh water in a thirsty desert. And although life-giving as it was, it was being rejected and greatly opposed. As for the disciples, they were simple people, fishermen, illiterate, and poor. Their group was composed of tax-collectors and other misfits. Yet, the description Jesus was giving about the final impact of his movement, was something beyond their wildest imagination. But it all begins very small, humble, and seemingly insignificant at first. Yet, for all those who receive the message, they get experience the joy, comfort, and a new life empowered by God himself.
Therefore, when it comes to getting involved in the work of God, let us not dismiss anything for being small or having a small beginning. I want to affirm the effort and organizational work of the Soul Sisters Ministry. Let us join them. It might look a minute, but let us allow God to use. Also, represent Christ in every way you can. It might be as simple as smile, a small act of kindness, a word of encouragement, a show of little patience, etc. You might never know the impact it can have on the recipients of your love.
The following parable compares the reign of heaven like the yeast a woman “took and mixed” into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked through the dough. Again, there are surprising aspects about this comparison with the reign of God. The character is a woman who was not a typical agent in rabbinical teachings. But the most disturbing aspect about this parable, at least to Jesus’ audience, was his use leaven in as something positive.
We know there are trigger words, depending on the audience. In a movie theater, the word “fire” can be a trigger word causing panic. To a Jewish audience, yeast would be one such word. Leaven or yeast has a bad connotation in the mind of any devout Jew. Leaven connotes corruption, defilement, and uncleanliness.
Another surprising factor in this parable is what the woman does with the leaven. Many versions say the woman “took and mixed” or “took and put into” three measures of flour. The word Jesus used is “enkrypto” in Matthew, and “krypto” in Luke’s version. The King James and ASB, have “the woman took and ‘hid’ in three measures of flour.” And what the woman took and did with it and the final result are what Jesus compares to the kingdom of heaven. It is the “taking, hiding of the leaven, and the leaven corrupting the entire dough” that likens the reign of God.
The experts say, that when the yeast begins to metabolize the sugars in the dough, it forms carbon dioxide that puffs into tiny gas pockets all through the dough. The gas can’t escape because of the elasticity of the gluten in the flour, so these pockets of gas stay in the loaf. When the loaf finally goes into the oven, the gas expands even more as the temperature rises. Once the loaf finally bakes, the shape of those tiny gas pockets remains, thus making the bread soft and so appetizing.
The transforming agents of yeast in dough is what the kingdom of God is in the world. The yeast changes, the otherwise brick-like chunk of insipid and unappetizing hard dough. However, when the yeast creates those tiny air-pockets in the bread, its appealing beauty and aroma are powerful to make our mouths water at the very sight and smell of it.
These parables also show us that the church is not the mustard seed that has grown or grows into a big garden tree. It is, rather, the powerful, yet oftentimes invisible and insignificant work of God bringing healing, faith, and salvation to real people. It is in that work of God and his kingdom that we have found shelter. We are the wandering birds who have found refuge and a secure place to perch on in this huge tree.
Again, in regards to the yeast that was hidden in the dough, we are not the yeast in the world, but we might be the little air pockets transforming the shape and taste of an otherwise insipid and ugly-looking lump of dough. The force of the yeast God has hidden in the dough empowers us to disrupt and transform the status quo of things. The reign of God has infused into our lives something that makes us agents of life, joy, peace, and every fruit of the Spirit to change the unleavened lump God has placed us in. Therefore, when you share with those who need, you break away from the staleness and selfishness characteristic of the human heart. So, you are moved to care for the needy. When you forgive those who wrong you, you go against the norm of those who prefer to retaliate or go “eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth.” When you show sympathy and empathy towards others, you rise above from those who only lament for themselves and when thing do not go their way. When you give to the Lord, not only your monetary offering but also your complete allegiance, you resist the flow of the world that bows down to all kinds of idols, whether these are people, institutions, or name brands. When you worship God, you tell the world your life belongs to God and that all other things and activities don’t have the first place in your life.
In Jesus’ portrait of the kingdom of God, it did not need something greater than the Roman army to conquer the world, because its power comes from heaven. It started small and sometimes was invisible but its power was real and life-giving. The kingdom of heaven does require, however, small acts of faithfulness, love, gentleness, and kindness. It only requires obedience from each cross-bearing disciple today. Amen!
Pastor Romero