“Little, but too little”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Thursday, November 7, 2024
Luke 13: 18-30 (Forward, p. 9) CEV p. 1079
Today’s passage begins with two parables that speak of it is the ‘little things’ that count. A mustard seed is infinitesimally small to start with, but grows to great size eventually, such that it is as big as a tree and large enough that birds can nest in its branches. And likewise, yeast, it too is rather tiny, but when added to three batches of flour, enables the whole lump of dough to rise.
However, there is a ‘catch’ to both: both the seed and the yeast must be put to work if there are to be anything by way of results. The seed has to be planted and the yeast has to be added to the flour. And that is the underlying message when Jesus speaks of the narrow door. It is such that they—the crowds He is addressing—must enter it, which is to put their faith in Him. It is not enough for them to have associated with Him or heard His message. They must have responded to that message and entered into a relationship with Him. They have a little, but it was not enough. What little they had was not put into practice, invested.
Forward notes: “To what should I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast” (verses 20b-21a).
“We hear in today’s reading from Luke that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed and yeast. In Matthew, the kingdom is like treasure in a field and fine pearls. The kingdom is unexpected and vast, found in ordinary things like a leavening agent. The kingdom doesn’t behave like it should. One measure of yeast shouldn’t make a dent in 60 pounds of flour, and yet it does.
“A study by a Harvard political scientist found that it only takes 3.5% of a population to engage in nonviolent resistance to spur powerful political change. That’s it. Three people out of each hundred can make a significant impact. We often think we are too small to make a difference.
“And yet, the kingdom of God is in small things. The small measure of yeast affects and changes all of that flour. So, too, we are called as disciples to change the world around us: to do small things with great love, motivated by our love for God.”
Moving Forward: “How might you be yeast today?”