The answer is: Three

Matt 13:33

In Matthew 13:33, Jesus shares a brief but densely packed parable about leaven. He tells us that the kingdom of heaven is like a woman who takes three measures of flour and hides leaven in it until it is all leavened. The choice of "three measures of flour" wonderfully indicates abundance. While we may not think of flour measurements in the same way today as they did back then, three measures is a considerable amount—around half a bushel! This could potentially make enough bread for a large gathering or feast, bringing the theme of communal communion into play.

Leaven, in scripture, usually symbolizes transformation. Just as yeast permeates the whole batch of dough, so too does the idea of the Divine subtly infuse itself into the world around us, changing things from within. Fun fact: the Jewish had various attitudes towards leaven in their religious practices; during the Passover season, they were to remove all leaven from their homes as a symbol of purity. However, in this parable, leaven signifies something positive.

This story resonates deeply with modern life—how small actions or ideas can lead to significant transformations over time. It echoes other scriptural affirmations about the seemingly minimal efforts leading to substantial results. If even a little leaven can affect a large quantity of bread, imagine how powerful our thoughts and actions might be! Shine as you ponder on how to bring about your own waves of transformation.