31 He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; 32 and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR come and NEST IN ITS BRANCHES.” 33 He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.” 34 All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable. 35 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “I WILL OPEN MY MOUTH IN PARABLES; I WILL UTTER THINGS HIDDEN SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.”

This series of parables is often referred to as the “kingdom parables” because they all begin with “The kingdom of heaven is like …” The new order that Jesus was bringing, He called the kingdom of heaven and He explains it using analogies. In our reading today we find another two of these.

The first compares the kingdom to a mustard seed, which was the smallest of the seeds cultivated in Jesus’ day. While, like the mustard seed, the kingdom had an inauspicious beginning, when it takes full effect it becomes quite significant. In fact, the kingdom when it fully arrives will provide for all who come to it. In down to earth language, the community of God’s people to outsiders seems like an insignificant social organization for weak people. But when a person comes to faith, then the community of God’s people becomes a welcome rest, like birds flocking to a tree. And the teachings of God’s Word become the repository of truth which eclipses all other sources of truth.

The second parable compares the kingdom with leaven (yeast in our terminology), which is hidden out of sight in flour, only to have it permeate and affect the whole batch of flour. The kingdom has, again, an inauspicious beginning, but it will permeate all of life. This is true particularly for believers in the primary sense. But also non-believers are ultimately affected as the gospel goes out into the whole world.

Matthew, inspired by the Holy Spirit, points out that this method of teaching in parables was prophesied in the OT (Psalm 78:2). His teachings were hidden from those who were antagonistic toward Him, but uncovered to His followers. At times the church may seem ineffective and the number of true believers relatively small—but the kingdom of heaven is slowly permeating the whole of our world. Someday we will see that “Heaven and earth are full of His glory.”

Lord, help me understand with faith Your message to me today. May I see the pervading influence of Your Kingdom in this broken down, fallen world.