Scripture – “When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.” Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Matthew 16:5-12 NIV
Observation – Jesus is teaching the disciples to be on their guard against the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. He referred to their teaching as yeast, which works its way through bread dough and affects the whole batch.
Application – One of the things the Pharisees and Sadducees did was to emphasize no work on the Sabbath, this restriction extended towards Jesus healing people on Saturdays because they categorized healing as work. They completely overlooked that a person was regaining their ability to walk and hyper-focused on the healing being “a work” and so they felt like Jesus had offended God. The question each believer must ask themselves is, “how are we like the Pharisees and Sadducees?” In what areas of our lives have we allowed a misguided teaching or false belief affect how we treat people around us?
Prayer – Jesus, I pray that we don’t forsake loving you and loving others in exchange for a list of rules we follow everyday. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 