Thoughts for the Day

Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And Jesus cautioned them, saying, ‘Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ They said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ They said to him, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ And they said to him, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Do you not yet understand?’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

So Jesus and his disciples have walked the long dusty journey from Sidon way up north in Syrian territory all the way back to the Decapolis off the south-east bank of the Sea of Galilee, where he heals a deaf and dumb mute. While there he feeds four thousand gentiles. Then he and the disciples sail to Dalmanutha, and though we're not quite sure where that is, it could be somewhere along the eastern shore. Then follows the call from the Pharisees to prove who Jesus is, and finally Jesus leaves the area heading north along the Lake to a point below Bethsaida. (This is how Mark remembers the journey!)

Now occurs a bizarre conversation between Jesus and his disciples about leaven (not yeast, but leaven where a small piece of yesterday's leaven is added to the new mix to make it rise and to produce 'sour dough'). But the disciples are hungry and can only think of the need for bread, so completely misunderstand him. Jesus is trying to teach them to beware of the Pharisees and of Herod. Leaven was considered to be an illustration of the work of sin - a small amount of sin can corrupt the whole group or a person! The pride of the Pharisees in following the Law of Moses is sinful and their influence on the population is becoming evil. The same is true of Herod whose desire to gain more power and influence was never ending. Even when Jesus reminds the disciples he has fed thousands (and so can feed them) they are still worrying about their stomachs and not seeing the connection.

The question for us is - do we allow small sins, just like a tiny bit of leaven, grow and get out of hand?

Heavenly Father,
takes our minds from the everyday
and fix them on You,
so that we can build up food in heaven
rather than food on earth!
May we learn to apply
the messages in the scriptures
to our current life,
and continue to grow spiritually,
Amen.