An Important Warning – Learning From Jesus’ Disciples

 ““Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread.”

Matthew 16:6-7

Dear Family & Friends,

Sometimes we humans get caught up in minutiae. Our minds get clouded with details and we struggle to see things of spiritual importance. This could be because we are not tuned in to the things of God or because we just put too much stock in our small comforts. Jesus’ disciples missed an important warning He gave them because they had the mundane things of life on their mind. It’s important for us to learn a lesson from their lack of understanding.

Religious Leaders Try To Discredit Jesus

Throughout Jesus’ ministry on earth a group of religious leaders hounded Him trying to discredit His teachings and His identity. These Pharisees and Saduccees, rigorously trained in the Holy Scriptures, chose to ignore the prophetic signs that proved Jesus was the promised Messiah. Instead they sought to dispose of the Son of God in order to keep their own prestigious position and powerful hold over the people.

After another run-in with these men Jesus and His disciples embarked on a boat to the other side of the lake. Instead of reflecting on a disturbing interaction that had just taken place, the disciples’ minds were on the ordinary things of life and they decided to plan for their next meal. As they took stock of their provisions they realized with dismay they had forgotten to bring any bread.

An Important Warning to Jesus’ Disciples

Jesus, listening to the commotion over the forgotten bread, used the oversight as a teaching moment to give the disciples an important warning. “Watch out!” He said. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Only half listening to Jesus’ comments, the distracted disciples, thinking He was talking about food, began to argue with each other over the lack of bread.

“You were in charge of bringing it,” said one. “No, it was YOUR turn to gather the supplies,” retorted the accused. “Great! I guess we’ll all have to go hungry,” they fussed and fumed.

Jesus, noting their lack of faith, confronted them about their arguing. Hadn’t they just seen Him feed 5,000 with only five loaves of bread and on another occasion feed 4,000 with seven loaves? Why were His followers worried about physical food when He could provide everything they needed? Frustrated that they were so dull of understanding He then restated the important warning. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Finally the men got the point! Jesus was not talking about bread but about the deceptive teachings of the religious leaders.

Our Foolish Distractions

This Bible account reminded me of our own foolish distractions.. We skip or cut short our morning devotions so we can get our hair and attire just right for our next appointment. We fill our free time with frivolous activities instead of spending more of it in prayer and meditation. We put more effort into growing our bank account than into growing our heavenly investments. We wouldn’t think of fasting from a meal in order to focus on more spiritual things. We worry about the simple everyday necessities of life forgetting that Jesus says to “Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.”

Meanwhile our enemy, Satan, chuckles at our foolishness. He rejoices that our distracted and clouded thinking will cause us to overlook his schemes. His desire is that we will turn away from God and find ourselves in bondage and ruin.

Take a Lesson From the Disciples

So take a lesson from Jesus’ disciples who put too much emphasis on the daily minutiae of life and missed the importance of His warning.

In what ways do we need to think less of our temporal needs, trusting that He will provide, in order to hear and respond to the important warning in God’s words? It’s something to think about!

Love,

Mama

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