’I’ve been learning about yeast – what it is and what it does.

It all began with the parable found at Matthew 13:33. The reign of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’ I began to imagine the bread that would be produced from that dough – about 50 loaves, according to one commentator, and the community that all those loaves would feed and sustain. I was reminded of God’s generosity and abundance.

Then I remembered the work of this woman who had taken the yeast, added it to the flour, worked it hard to create a dough that once proved and baked could sustain a whole community, and was reminded of the many people whose hard work feeds and sustains the communities I value and rely upon. Thank you to everyone who contributes to the life of our church in so many ways, we can do what we do without everyone hard work. 

Then I had a think about yeast, I had assumed that in being mixed into the flour it lost itself in the new creation and became something more than it had been as simply yeast. I was reminded of the way in which we can become subsumed in something bigger than ourselves and that sometimes can be good – like when without our presence the dough will not be leavened; but that sometimes that is disempowering when our contribution is lost, forgotten, disregarded – that can be hard. I don’t think was ever the point of this story, but it’s truth must also be noted and remembered. 

But, when I began to read up about yeast – I realised I was wrong about it becoming subsumed in the dough. Yeast is a fungus, and was one of the first domesticated organisms. Humans have used it in baking and brewing for at least 5000 years. When ancient brewing vessels have been found the yeast colonies had survived – so I’m reminded that even when mixed into the dough the reign of heaven continues to be active and to grow. However, when the dough is baked the yeast dies and the air pockets it has created are “set”, giving the baked product a soft and spongy texture. In that death comes the life-sustaining goodness of bread and I’m reminded that in Jesus we follow the one whose death brings new life and whose risen life brings goodness and abundance. 

So, what might this little story about yeast tell you about the reign of heaven?

be blessed

Craig