Scripture to Read: Luke 13:20-21
Today we focus on Luke 13:20-21. Like yesterday’s devotion, we see that commentators differ on what they think Jesus was communicating. Most commentators see the leaven as a beautiful picture of the kingdom of God working its way through the whole world. But other commentators say that since leaven is often used as a picture of sin and corruption in the Bible, like in the Passover in Exodus 12:8 and Exodus12:15-20, this parable is a description of the corruption that creeps into God’s church. Either way, both are true. Leaven works to expand the dough or batter that it is placed within. God’s Gospel may seem like leaven to a Jewish culture because many Jews in Jesus’ day, and still today, do not believe that Christ is the Messiah. So, when Christ came to this world to preach the Good News and fulfill almost all 400 plus prophecies about the Messiah in the OT, many Jews refused Him. But leaven could also represent those who have infiltrated the church to bring dissent, corruption, confusion and such because they seek to stop the church’s growth. Either way, both are happening and have been happening since Christ ascended into heaven. The church, the body of Christ that every believer is a part of, continues to thrive and grow and greatly influences this broken world. But we all have seen those who have brought discord within the body of believers too. We must be sure to be living so we help increase God’s Kingdom and not be a hindrance to what God is doing.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about His Kingdom growing and how the enemy is trying to stop that growth?
2. What actions will you take to be a part of growing God’s church?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!