Scripture:
Matthew 16:5-12 ESV
[5] When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. [6] Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” [7] And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” [8] But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? [9] Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets have you gathered? [10] Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets did you gather? [11] How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” [12] Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Observation:
The men who were following Jesus sitting underneath HIS teaching arrived on the other side of the sea. They were getting ready to continue the rest of their journey on foot. Jesus had a warning for them. As usual, it came in a manner that did not come right out and say exactly what HE was teaching about. Yet HIS words had a purpose. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. Instantly, the men started thinking HE was teaching about bread and being prepared for the journey, and unfortunately, that was something they had forgotten. So they started to discuss amongst themselves how they had forgotten to bring it. Knowing what they were discussing, Jesus had to speak up. Listen, guys, it’s not about the bread… in fact, it has nothing to do with bread. You must be having a hard time remembering what happened a short time ago when 5000 men got fed from a little bit of bread or the 4000 in the very same way. It’s not about the bread. The lesson HE was giving them had to do with how a small amount of something that is not right can destroy everything that is good. You see, the religious leaders of that time had an agenda, and it wasn’t to give up their position to some renegade teacher who was making them look bad. The warning that Jesus was giving his disciples was more about guarding their hearts from the discord the Pharisees were trying to sow amongst the followers. A little hate and discontentment go a long way. It was the classic bad apple statement. The Pharisees were teaching the wrong things and leading people astray. They were about power and position. They were using their influence to maintain their spot rather than yielding that spot to someone more qualified. Like the son of GOD. The very one who they thought they were working for.
Application:
It’s easy to get confused. It’s easy to think you are going the right way. Yet the whole time being just a little off. It doesn’t take much. Just 1 degree off can make your journey substantially different when it comes to where you arrive. The people you allow to influence your decisions are very important, and if you are making your own decisions, you have to be careful there as well. The Bible says all a man’s ways seem right TO HIM, but in the end, they lead to death. Seeking wise counsel is what the bible tells us to do. However, we need to make sure that counsel is wise. The Bible is the deciding factor. If the counsel you receive does not line up with GOD’S word, then it is not wise. It’s easy to be misled or even twist what the word says if you take it out of context. My point to this is simple. The Bible is the plumb line. It’s the standard. Man’s opinion is not. So we need to be very careful. Because it’s easy to start following someone’s opinion of what the bible says if we never open it ourselves. Devotional books and quick meditation daily reading books are good, but they can not replace personal time in GOD’S living word. When we allow others to influence our lives, it’s our responsibility to make sure they are leading us in the right direction. One of the number one statements made in the New Testament is DO NOT BE DECIVED. Listen, that means it is possible to be deceived, and as we get closer and closer to the return of Christ, the deception is not going to decrease. So make sure that you are not following a man… follow Jesus and HIM alone. Just one degree off is very hard to see. Until you try to match it up with something else that is right on point, then that one degree becomes a problem. Jesus is the only answer.
Prayer:
Father, you are the guidelines. Your word is the truth. We do not want to be misled, and we are not looking to be deceived. We want to know you. We want to hear your voice and know your word. It’s so easy to take someone’s word for what the bible says. But what if they are slightly off? Father, we are asking you to teach us. Lead us. Show us the truth inside your word. We want to steward the life you have given us to the very best of our abilities. We do not want to get to the end of it and find out we were one degree off. We know that there is only one way to you. Our trust can not be in man. It doesn’t matter who that man is. Our faith must be placed in Jesus. HE is the living word. What we are asking is that you increase our desire for you and only you. Help us to see that one degree. So that our destination is sure. We know that it is impossible to please you without faith. So help us to place that faith in the right direction. On your son alone. It’s in HIS Holy name we pray amen.