In the meantime, Jesus said to them, “Keep a sharp eye out for Pharisee-Sadducee yeast.” 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.
Matthew 16:6-12 The Message
Jesus told his followers to “Keep a sharp eye out for Pharisee-Sadducee yeast.”
What do you suppose he meant by that?
Yeast is a fermenting fungus that creates activity in whatever it is added to; most commonly alcohol and dough. Small amounts of yeast affect large amounts of dough, causing it to expand or puff up.
In this passage of New Testament scripture, Jesus is saying to be keenly attentive to Pharisee-Sadducee yeast. He tells his followers that a small amount of their yeast will puff you up.
To be keenly aware:
- to see with the eyes
- to perceive, or know
- to experience, become acquainted with by experience
- to take heed, pay attention to
Jesus is saying to keep your radar active to Pharisee-Sadducee yeast.
What is so wrong with Pharisee-Sadducee yeast?
Pharisee-Sadducee
Spiritually blind
You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too. Matthew 23:26 New Living Translation
Inwardly judgmental
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” Luke 7:39 New International Version
Spiritually arrogant
The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer[fn]: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! Luke 18:11 New Living Translation
Deny the resurrection
Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. Mark 12:18 New Living Translation
Teach religious doctrine
“Yes,” said Jesus, “what sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden. Luke 11:46 New Living Translation
A lesson within a lesson
Jesus is talking to his followers about a spiritual matter, but they perceive his conversation to be about a physical matter—they forgot to bread some bread.
This story clearly points out that Jesus was not concerned about the physical matter. When he calls them “runt believers,” he is referring to their lack of faith that he (Jesus) would take care of them.
In the kingdom, spiritual matters outweigh physical matters.
Too often, Christians are focused on physical matters and care very little about spiritual ones. If they hear the voice of the Lord speaking to them (many do not), it passes through their physical filter (me and my need—or want).
A disconnect occurs because Jesus is talking on a higher plane (spiritual) than they are listening on (physical).
Does this bring you some understanding of why people walk away from God? They are looking at physical things, and the Godhead is (attempting to) talk to them about spiritual things.
What is the Pharisee-Sadducees yeast?
It is their teachings. Jesus tells them in the New Testament gospel of Luke (see above) that they “crush people with unbearable religious demands.” They are spiritually blind, arrogant and inwardly judgmental.
He says that even a little of their teaching has a puff-you-up impact (makes you feel more important than you are).
Who are today’s Pharisees-Sadducees?
Today’s Pharisees-Sadducees are those bark out rules as a form of righteousness. At one point, Jesus told his followers that their righteousness could not be Pharisee-Sadducees righteousness, because it was self-righteousness.
Today’s Pharisees-Sadducees are those who push form and formality over relationship. For them, form and formality equal relationship, but think how awkward that is.
If all I did in my marriage was follow a certain pattern of doing and being, would my wife think that I loved her? Would she consider that a close personal relationship?
Do you see how awkward that would be?
The same is true with your relationship with God (or the Godhead as I call it).
A relationship is not about form or formality, although some could be present.
A close personal relationship with the Godhead is needed now more than ever.
To learn more: A close personal relationship with God: the garden story
A close personal relationship with the Godhead is a journey. I invite you to follow along. As I learn, I will pass it along so you too can learn. It is my hope that as you learn, you can pass it along so that I (and others) might learn.