Three measures of meal

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.’”

            This parable is so astounding! It has been taught to mean that the kingdom of heaven, once preached will take over the world. While that is true, I do not believe that is the sole application of this verse. I submit to you, in this verse, Jesus is being metaphoric. I believe the three measures of meal herein stated refer to the three-fold nature of man. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 indicates that humans are three-part beings. We are a spirit, we have a soul {mind, will, and emotions} and we live in a physical body. Thus, it is my staunch and immovable opinion that the above verse is metaphoric for what happens to those three parts when a person accepts salvation. We know that we are not entirely renewed while we are yet here on this earth, for the word says that our outward man perishes day by day. We also know that the Lord, who has begun a good work in us will be faithful to complete it until the day of His return. This little parable is pregnant with the notion that once a person receives their salvation, their spirit is immediately renewed- or immediately leavened. Then as they chose not to conform to this world but allow themselves to be transformed in the spirit of their minds by the word of God, their minds become renewed - or become leavened. Finally, upon Jesus’ return, we shall all be changed in the twinkling of an eye- in other words, our flesh will be renewed- or leavened. This simple little parable packs a big metaphoric punch because within it, we find the entire work of salvation!