A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

IT TAKE TIME FOR YEAST TO DO ITS WORK      

Matthew 13:33 “He (Jesus) told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”  Hal loved his wife dearly. She was a devout, practicing Christian. Hal was not. However, out of love for her Hal attended church with her weekly. They also attended the Bible class that followed the worship service. Year upon year and decade upon decade Hal’s wife was in church regularly and he by her side. This continued well past their golden wedding anniversary until Hal became deathly ill.    

Over the years and decades, Hal’s wife’s pastors befriended both of them. The pastor went trout fishing regularly with him. As a couple they often traveled with their pastor on vacations. It appeared, however, that Hal would never come to faith in Jesus. He politely but strongly insisted he wanted nothing to do with Jesus.  Well into his eighties, Hal was diagnosed with a terminal disease. His wife’s pastor asked her if Hal would permit him to visit with him in the hospital. Hal agreed. The pastor visited Hal in the hospital and at home frequently sharing the gospel with him. As he grew frail and neared death Hal asked the pastor if he would conduct his funeral service.    

The pastor asked Hal if he believed that he was a sinner, that Jesus died for his sins, and, that Jesus had won for him a place in heaven through His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. Hal said he did not personally believe that. At each subsequent visit, Hal repeated his request and the pastor repeated his question. It was on the last day of Hal’s earthly life that he begged his wife and daughter to invite the pastor to their home yet one more time. The pastor came. Hal made his request and the pastor asked his question. This time, Hal weakly looked into the eyes of his wife’s pastor, tears formed in his eyes and ran down his cheeks. Just above a whisper Hal said to the pastor, please conduct my funeral because I know I am a sinner and believe that Jesus died to pay for every one I have ever committed. I know I have my heavenly Father’s forgiveness because I have His promise, “Whoever believes in My Son Jesus shall not perish but receive everlasting life.” 

The yeast of the GOSPEL may seem too slow in permeating the heart and soul of a sinner. However, God says through the pen of Isaiah, “. . . My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)  

Prayer: For those I know who I am concerned about whether or not they will go to heaven when they die, grant me faith and patience to share the words of the gospel and through the work of Your Holy Spirit, the Gospel’s power, and the Spirit’s blessing those for whom I am concerned will come to faith in Jesus for their forgiveness, eternal life, and salvation. In your Holy name, dear Jesus. Amen.  

Salvation unto us has come By God’s free grace and favor;  
Good works cannot avert our doom, They help and save us never.  
Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone, Who did for all the world atone;  
He is our one Redeemer. 

From sin our flesh could not abstain, Sin held its sway unceasing;  
The task was useless and in vain, Our guilt was e’er increasing.  
None can remove sin’s poisoned dart
Or purify our guileful heart—  So deep is our corruption. 

Since Christ has full atonement made And brought to us salvation,  
Each Christian therefore may be glad And build on this foundation.  
Your grace alone, dear Lord, I plead,   
Your death is now my life indeed, For You have paid my ransom. 

Let me not doubt, but truly see Your word cannot be broken;  
Your call rings out, “Come unto Me!”   
No falsehood have You spoken. Baptized into Your precious name,   
My faith cannot be put to shame, And I shall never perish. 

Faith clings to Jesus’ cross alone And rests in Him unceasing;  
And by its fruits true faith is known, With love and hope increasing.
For faith alone can justify; Works serve our neighbor and supply
The proof that faith is living.  

Salvation unto Us Has Come // LSB 555 [vs. 1,4,6,7,8]