So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quickly, prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it, and make bread cakes.” ~Genesis 18:6
So Jesus was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like?...It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour until it worked all through the dough.” ~Luke 13:18-21
What is the kingdom of God like?
It is
different from the scarcity stance
of earthly empires where
pseudo-peace is achieved by grasping
with fearful fists
what we think belongs to only us.
Instead,
think abundance.
An unfamiliar mindset, isn’t it?
But don’t imagine over-the-top once and done.
Oh no, the kingdom’s abundance is
like yeast
that’s ever increasing.
Scoop a tiny but powerful measure of yeast
into warm living water
and you’ll get bubbly goodness, every time.
Then stir in your choice of flour
(God so loves variety)
with promise-preserving salt.
It’s a surprisingly simple recipe for the sustenance of a full life
that a woman
like Sarah knows by heart.
She has been making bread faithfully for decades.
Witnessing yeast’s transformative power: a handful of dough
given warmth and time, soon overflows the bowl.
Even when punched down, divided up, or cast aside,
there is no stopping.
So when Abraham says to her, “Quick, make bread,” she
takes and mixes
with no hesitation.
Without seeing the hue of the visitor’s skin,
or the dialect of their tongue. Perhaps
they will be pleasant and grateful.
Perhaps not. Lord knows the responses will vary.
Fully-fed crowds, recently-cleansed lepers, wide-eyed disciples.
All a mixed bag. And yet,
His compassion bubbles
without discrimination. Why should mine?
This is God’s way:
faith pushing out fear so that
generosity outshines greed.
Look and see what happens
in this environment.
Yeast begins to rise when stirred
into three measures of flour,
roughly 60 pounds.
Enough for 60 loaves.
For only 3 foreigners at Sarah’s door?
Exactly!
Jesus winks at us in this parable.
In the kingdom of God there is always abundance
because the yeast never stops expanding.
So inter-
ruptions can be greeted without delay
by immense generosity.
Generosity that makes us giggle.
Imagine what the world would look like if
we practically mix in this truth
until it works all through
our lives.
Delightful surprises.
Unexpected, unhurried meals.
Contagious laughter.
The kind of kingdom where each life
becomes an overflowing bakery of
kindness,
compassion,
joy.
Where flourishing peace is achieved
through kneading hands that meet,
no, exceed the need.
Come, Bread of Life and enlarge
our hearts to bubble with always-ready
generosity in the same tiny, but
powerful way yeast expands all through
the dough.
Lord, come quickly.
Lord, Come Quickly 