Yeast of the Pharisees

Matthew 16:6 - And Jesus said to them, "Take care and beware the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees."

Yeast - it is what makes bread fluffy. As Jesus notes elsewhere, you only need a little and the entire loaf is fluffy. It influences how the dough will turn out. Jesus has just answered a question about what sign he will do to prove himself. This is a question born from pride and ego, rather than confidence. They challenge him because of their fear that he is the real thing - and they know they are not. They have the words but not the Spirit.

Jesus is suggesting that we use a different kind of yeast - love. Love of father, mother, God, spouse, others. In the same way as pride and hate, only a little changes everything around us. If we were to respond to everyone with love - to the best of our ability - we would see everyone differently. We would need to rethink how we are in every situation. Yes, it is work. That is probably why the disciples are about to miss the point. They do not want to do this work any more than we usually do!

Yet there is no other way. Gracious God, give me the courage to use the yeast of love in my bread today.
B