The 'Is Like' Parables -Part 1

June 4, 2025 | Read and Think About Matthew 13:31-35

Today’s passage is two short parables.

“Parable” is from the Greek word “parabole” which the Blue Letter Bible defines as a placement of two things next to each to illustrate their likeness and to teach a precept. 

Six times in Matthew 13, Jesus says, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like …”  as the lead-in to a parable.  Today we look at two of these. 

Here, Jesus is speaking to his disciples, who had come to Him privately to ask why He spoke to the people in parables.  The location was near the Sea of Galilee, in the north of Israel, where Jesus spent much of His time.

• In the first parable for today’s passage, a tiny seed grows into one of the largest of trees.   This process symbolizes the work of the Holy Spirit.  It starts with human activity – a person planting a seed in a field.  This symbolizes all the different influences a person can have on another to plant the seeds of faith.  As the Holy Spirit brings about the growth, the process is gradual.  While the difference is noticeable going from start to finish, it happens in smaller increments from day to day, like a tree growing.

  
  

• In the other parable, yeast is expanding throughout the dough as it is being made into bread.  How?  The parable tells us it happens through the actions of a person, kneading the dough.  This symbolizes the human activity of spreading God’s Word.  The woman’s hands are like the feet and the words of those who take the Word of God to others, whether it be across the globe or down the street.  This also is how the Kingdom of Heaven expands.

The Kingdom of Heaven is not a location to be found with coordinates. It is that place where people know the fullness of God's abundance by placing our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, as we look forward to eternal life with Him someday.

Taken together, the two parables from today say much about how the Christian faith spreads.  It is part mystery, unseen similar to how the tiny seed grows into a large tree. But also the result of purpose and mission and action.  The continued spread of His Kingdom on earth, happening over centuries, lets us join in the work with the Holy Spirit as we pray, “Thy will be done.”