"Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."
v15 of Mark 8:13-21 NKJV
Leaven, which is yeast, was used sparingly in the art of bread making. The Jews mostly ate flatbreads and would mop up their dishes with this, following a meal. If too much yeast was used, then the bread would puff up too high. Yeast was only used in very small measures. It was thought that yeast was a corrupting agent and most certainly not suitable for the Passover. Too much yeast would corrupt the dough in the same way, that being led astray by Pharisaical teaching could puff a person up. In addition, it was not recommended to operate with violence and brute force as Herod and his troops did.
The disciples missed it completely. They thought Jesus was complaining that because they had forgotten to get more bread, they would only have one loaf and that would be disastrous for them. One can almost hear the frustration in Jesus' reply which I have paraphrased: 'You worry about one loaf; what did I do last time? Can't I provide more bread for us? You're missing the point, something else is going on here.'
Jesus was warning them about the puffed up pride of the Pharisees; the way they feel that they are the bees-knees - the elite force in knowing God. It was a 'We are right,' mentality and much of the troubles in society today, is caused by religious argument and the twisting of what God said or didn't say. The Kingdom of God was not led by such religious thought; it was led by meekness, humility and love.
Jesus wanted the disciples to be aware of false teaching; of being led astray by self-seeking, puffed up religious thinking. And it is the same today for us. This is why Jesus told the seventy two, He was sending out, recorded in Luke 10, 'Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves' v3. In the wrong company, we can be ripped apart by false teachers and puffed up people. Be careful. If you meet someone who loves continually talking about themselves, treat them with caution. Love always puts others first. Read about it in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, and you will get a good idea of the type of people God wants us to associate with, and become.
It's easy to become puffed up, especially if someone is always patting you on the back or if you are seeking their praise because you have dome something wonderful in the church or community.It's very easy to promote yourself. If you find yourself doing this, and we all have at some time or another, stop it immediately and begin to praise Jesus instead.
Don't get led astray!
Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard
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