As Christians we understand that our soul is something that God gives us before we are physically born into this world, and something that you have after you die. Much like the soul, our influence transcends our physical existence. For example, the news of a pregnancy can tremendously influence the expecting parents even before the child is born into this world. The same can be said on the opposite end of the spectrum. That even if a person is dead they can still have influence on people for many years. For example, our nation’s founding fathers have been dead for hundreds of years, yet their influence still impacts millions of people today. I’m reminded of the sins of Jeroboam in 1 Kings 12:25-33 in which he influenced Israel to sin for hundreds of years, until God delivered them into the hands of the Assyrians (2 Kings 17:20-23.) Jesus stresses the fact that everyone has influence, whether for good or for bad, and he does this by using parables regarding leaven. Many times when the bible speaks of leaven, it is in an evil sense that is having an evil influence. An example of this is when Jesus warns His disciples to beware the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Matthew 16:6) However, In Matthew 13:33 He uses leaven to show as Christians we can have a good influence on the world. Matthew 13:33 “Another parable He spoke to them: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.’” (cf. Luke 13:20, 21). Let’s look at leaven and see how we as Christians can have a good influence. Leaven is a substance, typically yeast, that is added to dough to make it ferment and rise. First, leaven influences and is not influenced. Leaven doesn’t cease to be leaven just because it’s been added to or interacts with the dough. In fact it impacts the dough, while never losing its own identity. We too should be in the world, but continue to influence without becoming worldly. We are not to conform; we are to transform. (Romans 12:1, 2; 2 Cor. 6:17, 18) We are to overcome the world; not be overcome by the world. (1 John 5:4, 5) Contrast Daniel with some of Lot’s family. James 1:27 “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”
Next, it only takes a little leaven to accomplish a lot. It is amazing to contemplate what great good can be done by just one person or by a few. The preaching of one man, Jonah, saved a city of nearly a million people! Starting with twelve men, Christ inaugurated a system which revolutionized society and changed the course of the world! As individuals, we should never think, “I don’t mean much,” or “I can’t do much.”
Furthermore, leaven multiplies. It’s Contagious! The early church multiplied. (Acts. 2:47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7; 19:20). Jesus said the leaven worked “till the whole was leavened.” In the early church, God’s people were so evangelistic that Paul describes the gospel as having been “preached to every creature under heaven.” (Colossians 1:23) Acts 17:6 “But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, ‘These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.’” However, in multiplying, leaven influences the meal gradually, part by part. In the same way, one of the most effective ways to influence the whole world for Christ is through individual or personal evangelism. The growth has the potential to be exponential.
Lastly, leaven works slowly, sometimes it takes considerable time to influence and win a soul for Christ. Patience is key! After all God has been and continues to be patient with us. In 2 Peter 3:9 the bible tells us, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slacknesses; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”. From this passage we see that God clearly expresses His desire for all men to be saved, and is patient or long-suffering toward us. As Christians we should be long-suffering as well. We must faint not and continue doing the Lord’s will. Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” A rock was split in half by the workman’s one hundredth blow. Now, the one hundredth blow did not do the job altogether. All the preceding blows contributed their part. 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Therefore, brethren it is not a matter of whether we have influence or not. Rather our concern should be with what kind of influence we are having on others, and what kind of influence are others having on us. Let’s offer ourselves to God, as instruments in His hands, as salt and light in the community. The church could have an enormous influence for good, in every nation on earth, if it would commit itself totally to Christ. Let‘s give ourselves to Him, who gave Himself for us.