Leaven

He told them another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like leaven (sour dough) which a woman took and covered over in three measures of meal or flour till all of it was leavened. Matthew 13:33 Amplified 

This parable would have spoken to women who could associate the kingdom of heaven with the leaven used in making bread. Leaven is mixed into the dough made up of flour, salt and water. The leaven makes the dough rise. Likewise as the gospel is hidden in people’s heart it grows and changes their hearts. Such is the Kingdom of Heaven. It permeates people’s hearts and lives—making them aware of God’s Kingdom and the way that God wants us to live. Leaven is sometimes referred to as sin…but in this parable it is not sin, but used to show how God’s Kingdom spreads within a person’s heart…and within a community. Has leaven been hidden in your heart? 

RSVP: Jesus is continuing to speak in parables. Has leaven been placed into your heart? How will you respond to Jesus today? 

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, allow Your gospel to grow in my heart and life and for Your love to spread to my family, friends and neighbors. 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Thinking about leaven and bread brings to mind this Portuguese Sweet Rolls. 

Portuguese Sweet Rolls

½ cup warm potato water (105 degrees F) – from cooking the potato

2 tablespoons (or 2 pkg) instant yeast
½ cup warm milk

½ cup mashed potato

¼ cup melted, unsalted butter
1 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, beaten
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla

½ teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon grated lemon or orange peel

4½ to 5 cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour 

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add yeast to the potato water. Let sit about five minutes. Add all of the remaining ingredients, adding the 4½ cups of flour last, stirring until the dough starts to leave the sides of the bowl. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 5 minutes, adding more flour if necessary, or until it's smooth and shiny. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and allow the dough to rise till puffy though not necessarily doubled in bulk, about 90 minutes, depending on the warmth of your kitchen.  

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface, and divide it into 24 pieces. Round each piece into a smooth ball. Place the balls in a lightly greased 12 x 12-inch (sticky bun) pan, or equivalent (two 9-inch round pans, a 9 x 13-inch pan.) Cover the pan, and allow the rolls to rise for about 1 hour and doubled in bulk.

Bake the rolls in a preheated 325°F oven for 30 minutes, tenting lightly with aluminum foil after the first 20 minutes. Remove them from the oven when they're golden brown, and transfer them to a wire rack to cool. Yield: 24 rolls.

hApPy bIrThDaY – Mary Ellen! Blessings~

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.