God Can Get a Rise Out of Us Even Today! July 12
Written by Dan Held
“He told them still another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough’” (Matthew 13:33 NIV).
Jesus must have known.
Yeast, or leaven, used in the baking of bread was often viewed by His fellow Jews as a symbol of evil, impurity, and rottenness. One of the ceremonies of preparation for their annual Passover Feast was that every scrap of leaven, or lump of fermented dough left from a previous baking, would be gathered up from house to house, burned, and destroyed. Salvation for His people was associated with unleavened bread, and yeast was associated with slavery and sin.
Why, then, would Jesus compare the kingdom of heaven to yeast, of all things?
Yeast has the power to transform dry flatbreads into soft and spongy bread full of rich flavor. Loaf after loaf provides food for many, thanks to such a transformational ingredient. Yes, it was associated with death rather than life among the people of Jesus’ Jewish community, but Jesus saw it as life-giving.
Cancer, to those of us who have been touched by it directly or indirectly, may be associated with death rather than life. But a cancer journey can in itself lead to growth, expansion of our empathy and compassion for others, and new opportunities to share our faith. It, like yeast, can help us connect with God’s kingdom of heaven in ways we may have overlooked before.
To Jesus, the kingdom of God is not just a place we enter after we die. It is a transformational ingredient that enters into us right here and now. Being saved isn’t about waiting to die so we can get into heaven. It also means getting heaven into us before we die, changing us and those around us for the better even as yeast changes the dough with which it is mixed.
Maybe Jesus is wanting to get a rise out of us today, not waiting until death but instead tasting of God’s heavenly love in and through us, right now. Cancer sometimes has a way of making us feel flat, dull, and more like sixty pounds of flour—or like unleavened bread. But the bread of heaven has come to us through Jesus Christ, whose heavenly kingdom can transform us—and ultimately the whole world God so loves.
Pray: Heavenly Father, we pray today for transformation in our lives, especially in those moments where we seem to fall and feel flat. Lift our spirits, expand us, and empower us to be like flavorful yeast today in relation to others whose lives we may touch. May Your kingdom come into our lives today even on Earth, as it is in heaven. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Your Turn: Notice how God’s transforming love has the power to get a rise out of you today.
Dan Held, Cancer Caregiver
Dan is a cancer caregiver who lives with his wife (Sue) of 55 years in Dayton, Ohio, where Sue has been free from breast cancer and colon cancer for two years! Dan is an ordained pastor and a licensed therapist with a heart for families touched by cancer at any stage. He is dedicated to promoting the message of more love and less fear in all aspects of his ministry and life. Check out his blog at www.danielkheld.com.
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
To learn more about our ministry and the services we provide visit our website by clicking here.
