Okay, everyone into the boat, Jesus is ready to sail!  The oars are in the water, the sails are up, it’s a great day to get across this lake.  A few minutes into the voyage, stomachs begin to growl.  Some of the devoted, young men now remember they didn’t bring bread for the trip.  Instead of childlike faith, the respond childishly, “Hey Dude, did you happen to bring the baskets of leftovers?” “Did you bring bread?”  “It wasn’t my turn to bring bread!”  “Well, who’s turn was it?”  “I was worried about getting the boat off the shore, so I didn’t think about bread, but I am now.”  “Let’s blame Judas; he’s always in a bad mood anyway.”  This is all in my imagination of the scene, but isn’t this so like us? 

Many times, we miss the “boat” of what God is telling us because we are so focused and involved with just getting by in life for the moment.  We are so busy worrying about the little things of life that we miss opportunities to go deeper into our relationship with Almighty God who is trying to watch out for us, teach us, give warnings that will keep us from falling for evil.  Our God, how I love him!  How much I love Jesus who patiently explains to his dedicated followers in the boat that HE is all the Bread they need.  HE is the Bread of Life!  Speaking of bread, Jesus takes a beat to explain about the yeast of evil.  Beware of the yeast of proud leaders who permeate the bread of the wicked.  “Beware of the yeast of the leaders who do not follow Me” is what he is saying to them. Their religion will seep into your lives like yeast into baking bread.  Don’t become a loaf of evil!

Imagine the awkward pause in the boat.  Sailing in silence after the argument was shut down by Jesus, their thinking turns from who brought the bread to the Bread of Life who was sitting right there with them.  His eyes fixed on their eyes.  His love melted away their petty arguing and they finally “got it”, got the message He was explaining to them for their good and His glory.  Jesus, Son of God, is the Bread we need to fix all our attention as we feast of His teaching, hear His Holy Spirit, while being thankful for His love, mercy and grace.

We “get it”, right?

Matthew—God’s Law Fulfilled

Matthew 16:5-12, NLT

Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees

⁵ Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. ⁶ “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

⁷ At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. ⁸ Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? ⁹ Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? ¹⁰ Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up? ¹¹ Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’”

¹² Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

THINK ABOUT IT…

We fuss and stew over things of this world that are so small as God serves a feast of abundant life before us all because of His love.  Jesus, God’s Son, is the feast, the Bread of Life for all who believe.  Think God, think more than we can imagine!  He is the Way, Truth and Life!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16, NIV

Jesus told his disciples for emphasis, “I fed…” more than once to help them understand that HE will feed them all they need for Life.  Always.  Forevermore. 

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”  Romans 10:9, NLT

Be assured, we will be saved and fed well.

Abba, Father,

Thank you for saving my soul.  Thank your for renewing my spirit, changing my mind and filling my heart with your love.  Thank you for constantly feeding me with Your Word that gives life and sustenance.  Thank you for leading me out of trouble.  Thank you for guiding around the mountains of circumstances that could bring me down.  Sometimes you even move the mountains!  You are God and we are not.  There is no one like you!  You can do anything and everything!

You are my Shepherd.  You are all I need.  You let me rest in green meadows.  You lead me beside peaceful streams.  You renew my strength.  You guide me along right paths, bringing honor to Your Name. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.  You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.  You honor me by anointing my head with oil.  My cup overflows with blessings.  Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.  Yes, and amen!

In Jesus Name, Amen!  I believe.