5 When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
7 They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn't bring any bread.”
8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don't you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11 How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Don’t you know that Jesus gets tired of us being so dull in our understanding of spiritual matters? Don’t you know He wants to reply to our continued ignorance with “Really, are you still so lacking of knowledge?” Thankfully, His mercy, kindness and compassion far exceed what comes natural to me (go figure)!
21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; Lam 3:21-25 (NIV)
In our verses for today our Lord was desirous of warning His guys against the wrong teachings of the religious elite of His era. So common to fleshly understanding of spiritual matters, they totally miss the mark. They wrongly assumed the Master referred to the fact that they had forgotten to bring bread. Never mind that He could turn a rock into sustenance. Never mind that he could turn a handful of crumbs into plenty. They continued to return back to their very human pattern of thinking dull rather than dwelling on the Divine. The Lord Jesus kindly reminds them of the past occasions where He had so multiplied the loaves and fish so that there was an abundance left over. The food was not the issue. The food, the clothes, the stuff are never the issue. Jesus was perfectly capable of plentifully providing whatever needful. He still is. Faith was the issue. Their present cares and distrust derived from not remembering former experiences of divine power and goodness. Isn’t that so like us? Remember the Words Jesus spoke earlier in Matthew when He tells us not to worry about our lives – those of little faith do this - yet He tells us what we are to seek instead:
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear? 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matt 6:25-34 (NIV)
Worrying demonstrates lack of faith in what God can do. It focus’ on our own inabilities and absence of power instead of leaning on the all achieving power of the great “I AM”. Indeed, at best it is counterproductive robbing us of energy, joy, peace and health.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 (NIV)
“Regret looks back. Worry looks around. Faith looks up.” John Mason
“All worry is a desperate wanting of my own way.” Ann Voskamp
The warning Jesus set forth to His guys was against the untruth of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. They were to guard against that pervasive yeast which would penetrate and corrupt their nation and their soul. We should take the Lord’s Word to heart as well. Being as the Bereans of the Apostle Paul’s day who diligently searched Scripture to make sure what they took to heart was Truth:
11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11 (NIV)