The Parable of Yeast and the Kingdom of God
One of my favorite comedians is Brian Regan. He has an incredible talent for highlighting the ordinary moments of life in hilariously perceptive ways. One of his early routines pointed out how cranberry juice, as he put it, was “getting into all the other juices.” After hearing this, I couldn’t walk down the juice aisle at the store without noticing the endless cranberry juice blends.
This funny yet keen observation serves as a great illustration for what Jesus teaches about the growth and spread of the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 13:33
"He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.’" (ESV)
1. The Kingdom of God Spreads by Mixing into the Culture Around It
“...The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour…”
When yeast is mixed into flour, it works only if it’s evenly distributed. As someone who has started baking sourdough bread, I’ve learned that one of the first steps is to dissolve the starter (yeast) in warm water before adding the flour. This ensures the yeast is thoroughly mixed into every part of the dough.
If only part of the flour is mixed with the yeast while the rest is left untouched, the entire batch won’t be leavened. Similarly, Jesus describes the Kingdom of God as leaven that must be “hidden” or mixed into the dough. Once the yeast is incorporated, it becomes invisible—but it’s there, influencing everything it touches.
In the same way, the Kingdom of God is called to mix into the surrounding culture, influencing it from within. The “hiding” of the yeast symbolizes how we, as agents of God’s Kingdom, are meant to engage with the world around us, subtly and effectively shaping it through our presence.
2. Transformation by the Kingdom Happens Over Time
“...till it was all leavened.”
The transformation caused by yeast isn’t immediate—it takes time. For example, when I prepare sourdough bread, I let the dough leaven overnight. While the change isn’t noticeable minute by minute, by morning the dough has nearly doubled in size, ready for baking into light, tender bread.
Similarly, the Kingdom of God brings change that may not always be visible in the moment. Like the mustard seed in another parable, the growth may seem small at first, but over time, it produces significant and lasting results.
Jesus is teaching us that the Kingdom’s impact often works quietly and gradually, but its effects are profound and undeniable.
3. Bringing the Kingdom to Our Neighborhoods
As we think about the Kingdom of God advancing in our neighborhoods, this parable offers practical guidance.
First, we need to “mix in” with our neighbors. Like cranberry juice blending with other juices, we must become part of the life and rhythm of our communities.
This might look different depending on the neighborhood, but at the very least, it means stepping outside our front doors and engaging with the people around us. It means building relationships, serving, and taking an active interest in our neighbors’ lives.
We’re called to live out Kingdom values—mercy, love, forgiveness, grace, truth, and justice—reflecting God’s character in how we interact with others. If we stay isolated in our homes, it’s like adding yeast to only a small part of the dough: the rest won’t experience the transformative benefits.
At the same time, we need patience. The change we hope to see—neighbors growing spiritually, experiencing God’s love in tangible ways, or even coming to faith in Jesus—might take longer than we’d like. It’s in this waiting that we must trust God to do His work, knowing that He alone causes growth and draws people to Himself.
The parable of the yeast reminds us that God’s Kingdom spreads through quiet but intentional engagement. By stepping into the life of our neighborhoods, living out Kingdom values, and trusting God to work, we can be part of His transformative mission. Just as yeast changes the entire dough over time, our presence in the neighborhood, guided by God, can lead to lasting and meaningful change.