Matthew 13:31-35 (Mark 4:30-34)
Jesus presents the crowd with another story: the parable of the mustard seed and the yeast. He is comparing the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed planted in a field. It's thought to be black mustard, which grows up to 9 feet but starts with a comparatively small seed. Leaven or yeast is also very small, but in the right atmosphere, it multiplies like crazy. Jesus spoke in these parables, which fulfilled the prophecy from Psalm 78:2
Jesus is giving the crowd a glimpse into the kingdom of heaven and how it will be built. It will start small (and they are living it real time), but it will grow to reach the whole world.
These parables allow us to see the beginning of the movement that would reach through centuries to change us. The same kingdom of heaven is being built and we have the same cornerstone in Christ Jesus. Jesus lights the flame in the hearts of those in the crowd who were really listening. Zechariah 4:10 says "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin..." Jesus is using a creation narrative, something big growing out of something small. What is the creation narrative in our own lives? What can we start that would grow the Kingdom of heaven in our time? Maybe it's something that seems insignificant, we can only see the smallness of the seed. But when we give it to God, it joins with the work of others, from the first disciples until now, and changes the world!
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