Leviticus 2:4-5
If you bring a grain offering baked in an oven, it is to consist of the finest flour; either thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in or thin loaves without yeast brushed with olive oil.
Luke 12:1
Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy."
For years now, my husband, Danny has been on the quest for the perfect homemade bread. A basic white bread with just the right amounts of softness and fluffiness on the inside, and the firmness of golden crust on the outside.
We both experiment with different recipes, but the manifestation of a flawless bread eludes us.
Until . . .
Danny makes pizza dough the other day. It's not that he hasn't made it before, but he recently discovers through his internet research that rising yeast should never come directly in contact with salt. Does this make the difference in how the dough rises? I believe this photo speaks for itself!
We can't believe our eyes! Right then and there, Danny decides to use half of the dough for the pizza crust, and the other half as a bread baking experiment. I'm all for it!
Can you see the delightful air bubbles in this pizza crust?
This truly bolsters our expectations for the bread. And we are not disappointed.
Here's another photo of the finished loaf, all round, puffy, fluffy and proud.
So, it's no surprise to read in the Old Testament, that the grain offerings presented to God in the temple contain no yeast; flat, simple, not showy, so as not to distract the worshiper from the One to whom the sacrifice is offered.
When Jesus admonishes His followers to beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, it isn't difficult to see why. As yeast infiltrates dough and inflates it, so the Pharisees and teachers of the Law are filled with pride, self-importance, and superiority. In their world, there isn't room for humility.
There isn't room for God . . .
As we enjoy and nourished by our beautifully risen and delectable bread, Danny and I can't help but be thankful to the Lord, the Bread of Life, Christ Jesus. His love and grace never fail to nourish our souls.
He is our Perfect Bread!
Amen!
Wonderful reflection today, Martha. Thanx.
ReplyDeleteTry as I can, I always fail to make bread or pizza dough. I'm only appreciated by the dog in the kitchen. Well done on your success.
God bless always.
Lol, Victor! Well, at least the dog appreciates you. Hoping we can replicate what happened here in the future.
DeleteGlad you liked the post!
Love and blessings!
Beautiful bread, and wonderful analogy. Jesus is the TRUE BREAD that fully satisfies our longings. Oh to remember this every day when we are always longing for something to fill our lives...Jesus IS the answer! Thank you for this reminder. (However, I must say that I also now want to go bake some bread!) Loved this.
ReplyDeleteYes, Pamela, Jesus is the true and perfect bread in our lives, and we need to remember this every single day.
DeleteLet me know how your bread turns out!
Love and blessings!
That bread looks fantastic, I want it with butter and cheese! Jesus is the bread from heaven, our daily spiritual nourishment!
ReplyDeleteJesus is most definitely our bread from heaven, Marja, and thank goodness we can feast on Him every day. And I hear you about the butter and cheese - two of my favorite bread toppings!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, hi! Is there anything more delicious and soul-satisfying than bread right from the oven?
ReplyDeleteAh, bliss.
My girls used to call it cake.
No need for icing, just a little butter on a thick slab, please ...
There is nothing more satisfying than homemade bread done right, Linda. I think it's so cool your girls used to call it cake. Actually, I'd take a slice of bread over cake anyday!
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a super analogy! Congratulations to Danny for having discovered the key to that perfect bread. Now, you're both making me hungry! I hope you enjoy a blessed weekend!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the analogy, Myra! Yes, we are really happy about the bread, and hope we can replicate it in the future.
DeleteHope your weekend is wonderful, too!
Love and blessings!
Martha, the bread is beautiful. I wonder what the results would be like making bread with a different kind of flour? The best "bread" of all is Jesus!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
Danny used bread flour, not regular, in this recipe. Think that helps, too. And yes, Jesus is the best bread of all, because He is the source of our spiritual nourishment.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Finding the perfect recipe, be that for bread, for growing our faith, or completing any process always comes with so many tangible benefits. Although perfection is so elusive, the striving to move toward it is where the blessings are earned. Well said!
ReplyDeleteYour words here, J.D., remind me of the admonition in the NT to be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. It's in the striving for it that blessings are, indeed, realized.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What an interesting lesson and insight. And you made me hungry for homemade bread, Even the smell of it delights. Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
ReplyDeleteYes, the very smell of homemade bread is such a joy, Jean! May it remind us of the fragrant aroma of Jesus' love and grace abiding within us. Have a great weekend, too!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, are you saying that you did not use salt at all? This made me hungry just looking at it. Yummy! May we always hunger for the perfect bread of Jesus. Blessings, dear friend. K
ReplyDeleteOh, no, Danny did use salt, but it was well blended into the flour mixture before the flour was added to the yeast. And may we ever hunger for the Bread of Life found only in our Lord Jesus!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I don’t know where that K came from, but you are welcome to it. Lol
ReplyDeleteLol is right! Enjoy your weekend, Nells!
DeleteYou are speaking my language, with this post, Martha! Yum! I’m a bread lover 🥖 ❤️
ReplyDeleteBread is the best, Beckie, and Jesus knew that, too. Of course, He did! We are not only speaking each other's language, but speaking His, too. May we realize His presence in every bread broken.
DeleteLove and blessings!
nice article guys :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Beautiful anoalogy Martha. A wonderful achievement too, who'd have thought keeping salt away from yeast till mixed in well with flour!!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, as your application shares, how rich we are in Jesus.
As John said in Chap 6: And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Thanks for sharing, and may God bless and keep you and all whom you love safe and well.
Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz. X 7
{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
Yes, Shaz, Jesus is the Bread of Life, the nourishment that never fails. So glad you enjoyed the analogy, my friend!
DeleteLove and blessings!
This post is wonderful!!! I love the scripture references and how helpful to learn about the salt and yeast factors. I may have heard that a long time ago when I used to make bread, but had long since forgot about it.
ReplyDeleteYour bread looks delicious! Thank you for such a good Bible application to your bread baking!
Making analogies between scripture and everyday life is one of my favorite things to do, Barbara. And yes, the bread was absolutely delicious - only one slice left!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Wow! That loaf looks beautiful! I am on a quest for the perfect loaf too. I will have to follow your (and Danny's) advice.
ReplyDeleteLet me know how your quest turns out, Laurie. Too, I'll watch the next time Danny makes his "pizza dough" so I can see the steps for myself and share them with you.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Yum! I used to make homemade bread, but I haven't for years. I do remember the caution about salt. Great analogy to the Pharisees, but I'm distracted by the photo of that delicious bread!
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, Galen, that photo distracts me, too! We are down to one piece of this luscious loaf, and I'm looking forward to Danny doing another one.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a beautiful loaf of bread! Recipe, please? If you care to share. :)
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I will share with you as soon as I can. I'm going to wait until Danny tries this recipe/method again to make sure it turns out as great as it did before. Stand by! :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
Good word, Martha. Seeing the photos reminded me of Jesus in the wilderness being tempted to turn stones into bread - same basic shape and color. We usually think of this as His being tempted to break the fast and eat, which is true too, but I was thinking how wrong it is to try to make one thing into something it was never meant to be.
ReplyDeleteMay God continue to bless your writing and yummy bread-making too - all they're meant to be!
Thank you, Mary, for your kind words here and your astute observations. It certainly is wrong to turn something into what it was never intended or created to be. Hoping our next venture into bread making will have the same success.
DeleteLove and blessings!
How interesting, Martha. Years ago, I made sour dough bread with the starter someone gave me. But now, I only make homemade yeast rolls on special occasions. They are called "Angel Biscuits" but they are indeed a roll over a typical biscuit. But my yeast after activation, is mixed with shortening, then added to the flour and salt mixture. But they rise well. So wondering how you keep the yeast from contacting the salt.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I think everything goes fine with bread if the salt is in the dry mix; it's just not to be put in with the yeast by itself. And I do love homemade yeast rolls! My mother used to make them years ago. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Ooh, that bread looks so yummy! I love homemade bread, but I rarely ever bake it. Wish I had a piece of yours. :)
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Lisa! Homemade bread is the best, especially this loaf, which is now gone. :) Wish I could have shared some with you.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Sorry I'm late to this Martha. I was too busy wiping the drool off my mouth after seeing the bread and the pizza. :) Wonderful application.
ReplyDeleteLol, Bill! Thanks so much for stopping by and getting hungry. :)
DeleteLove and blessings!