We are so easily sucked in to the circus of beliefs of this world that Jesus has to remind all of us, many times, that there is only one way to salvation. There is only one teaching that please God as well. Jesus came to earth to seek and to save lost people and as He did that He trained His disciples to be alert to evil, especially as it works its way through the religious community, Like yeast, a catalyst that makes bread rise up, evil can rise up when we least expect it with teaching that looks and sounds right, but is not of God.

Jesus’ serious warning to his disciples is rather humorous in a way, because the disciples missed the previous conversation Jesus had with some Pharisees and Sadducees that were provoking Jesus to do another performance rather than seek to be saved from their sins. They missed it, but only for a little while…

OOPS, FORGOT THE BREAD! (BIG SIGH FROM JESUS)

Matthew 16, Msg
1-4 Some Pharisees and Sadducees were on him again, pressing him to prove himself to them. He told them, “You have a saying that goes, ‘Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky at morning, sailors take warning.’ You find it easy enough to forecast the weather—why can’t you read the signs of the times? An evil and wanton generation is always wanting signs and wonders. The only sign you’ll get is the Jonah sign.” Then he turned on his heel and walked away.

5-6 On their way to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring along bread. In the meantime, Jesus said to them, “Keep a sharp eye out for Pharisee-Sadducee yeast.”

7-12 Thinking he was scolding them for forgetting bread, they discussed in whispers what to do. Jesus knew what they were doing and said, “Why all these worried whispers about forgetting the bread? Runt believers! Haven’t you caught on yet? Don’t you remember the five loaves of bread and the five thousand people, and how many baskets of fragments you picked up? Or the seven loaves that fed four thousand, and how many baskets of leftovers you collected? Haven’t you realized yet that bread isn’t the problem? The problem is yeast, Pharisee-Sadducee yeast.” Then they got it: that he wasn’t concerned about eating, but teaching—the Pharisee-Sadducee kind of teaching.

Dear Heavenly Father, Keep us alert to Truth in the person of Jesus Christ and all that He taught us to believe and how to behave. Help us to stand for Truth so that we won’t fall for anything that comes along that sounds “right”. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit. May Your Spirit guide us, convict us, challenge us and keep us focused on Truth. Work Your Way into our hearts, minds and souls. We love you. We want what You want. In Jesus Name, Amen