Then he said, "What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a person took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and 'the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.'" Again he said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed (in) with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened." (Luke 13:18-21)
Jesus preached about the kingdom. Teaching about the kingdom was his main topic in his preaching ministry. His preaching was also in parables. Parables were the main means of explain about the kingdom. He preached in parables because he wanted the ordinary poor people to understand the mysteries of the kingdom. He did not speak in legal terms or in norms.
One of the comparisons was with the mustard seed. Mustard seed was the smallest of all seeds and most insignificant and it was not the essential. However it was useful when it grew up to be a big tree. Kingdom was like that. In its beginning the kingdom was not seen as worthwhile and useful. It was also most insignificant in the sight of many leaders of the society. Its usefulness will be seen when it would have grown into a big tree.
Kingdom is like the yeast. Yeast’s presence in the flour is not known and not noticed. Its activity is known only by the passing of time. Time will reveal the presence of the yeast and the usefulness of the yeast. Yeast will make the whole dough into ready for bread. Kingdom likewise will not be seen by human means but its effect will be seen in the course of time. Kingdom is active and effective in the course of history.
