Kingdom Parables - Transforming Power (Daily Devotional)

Shalom, its wonderful to join you here today for another episode of Living Supernaturally. We trust that you have been following through this entire series which we have labelled as kingdom parables. The kingdom parable are parables that we have taken from scripture which Jesus taught in order to reveal the truth about the kingdom of God. We have seen through the last two days of how Jesus used regular things to bring about some of these truths. For our devotional today, we are going to be looking at the parable of the yeast/ leaven. We learn several things about the kingdom of God through the nature of yeast. Reading from Mathew chapter 13, verse 33, where it talks about the parable, it reads, ‘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.”’ For those of us who may be involved in baking, we understand the nature of yeast which is an agent of change. It grows and it changes whatever it comes in contact with. So, even though yeast is so small and significant, it has an oversized impact. Jesus in this parable likens the kingdom of God to yeast, implying that the kingdom of God starts small but has the potential to have a vast and a transformative power. The kingdom of God has transformative power. When we look back at this parable, we see that the kingdom of God, although may be small, it is destined to grow. Just like we said as the yeast is tiny and requires only a small amount to be mixed to a large amount of dough, it eventually spreads throughout that entire batch. Even as we see Jesus’ ministry, it began with twelve disciples in Galilee, but His message today has spread across the world. The gospel continues to advance, reaching hearts and transforming many lives. We also learn that the kingdom of God influences us from the inside out just like the yeast. It causes the dough to rise by working within it. In the same way, God’s work begins in the heart and then produces that kind of outward transformation. Similarly, the gospels impact on society or on other people comes from the lives of believers who live out their faith gradually influencing the culture and the people around them. Another thing that we learn from this parable about the kingdom of God is that it works invisible but its effect is evident to everybody. This helps us see that even though we may not always notice it, God is constantly working in and through the lives of people, building up His kingdom. When we accept Christ, His grace grows in our hearts and changes us from the inside out and as the gospel transforms us, it exerts a powerful influence to those we may meet around. As believers, we are called to trust that God is working even when we cannot see immediate results because we know that He is the one who does that transforming work. Let’s pray together, Heavenly Father, as we remember the truth that you have taught us that the little that we do is going to have transforming power. We look forward to that kingdom that is going to be built in power and grace. We pray that we will be faithful children of yours bringing about an extension of your kingdom in whatever way we can. Help us dear Lord, in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. Thank you for tuning in to Living Supernaturally, for more resources to strengthen your spiritual walk, please visit apcwo.org.