Two Kinds of Yeast
by Gemma Gardner
I have a bread machine here at home, and my husband, Dean, and I have enjoyed homemade bread all through our married life. Recently I discovered that I could make bread in my slow cooker, and I wouldn’t even have to knead the dough! I just needed to mix the ingredients together and leave it in a warm room overnight, and it would rise. I was curious to see if this recipe would really work. Next morning when I looked, the dough had risen, so I put it in the slow cooker and cooked it for two hours. It tasted good but wasn’t as big as my bread machine loaves. Still, it could come in handy if the machine broke down.
I am fascinated by yeast and how it works, and Jesus spoke about it in the above verse. We may feel quite small and insignificant as individuals, but we are like the yeast, and can affect the people around us, even though they may not realise it. Also, the Kingdom of Heaven is steadily advancing in the earth, even though we don’t always see it, and are so conscious of all the darkness and distress around us and in the world. God will have His way and His Kingdom will rule on the earth. Be encouraged!
Jesus also spoke about another kind of yeast. “Watch out!” Jesus warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:6). The disciples thought he was talking about bread, as they had forgotten to bring some along. But Jesus made it clear to them what He meant. “Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:12).
In Matthew 23:2, Jesus said, “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the Law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practise what they teach”.
These words challenged me. Am I being a good example? Do I practise what I share with others from God’s Word? Dean and I are seeking to reach out to people around us who don’t know the Lord Jesus. We want to walk in integrity and represent Jesus to all those we meet.
Gemma Gardner lives in Norfolk with her husband, Dean, who until recently worked at Ellel Grange. They are both part of the Associate Ministry team which Gemma joined after completing the Modular school. Gemma has experienced the Lord`s healing and restoration over many years and longs to see Him healing other broken people. Gemma loves listening to music, cooking, knitting and crochet as well as outdoor exercise. She enjoys playing guitar and singing worship songs.
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