This chapter contains several well-known conversations of Jesus including a discussion on leaven, (Simon) Peter receiving his new name, a foretelling of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and Jesus telling the disciples to take up their crosses and follow Him.
“But Jesus… said, ‘O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand…? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand…? How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ 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.” (v8-12 abr)
Jesus clarifies what He means by saying “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees”, since his disciples thought he was talking about physical bread. Jesus is using leaven as an analogy for sin – He’s warning them to be wary of religious leaders and their teachings, for they may have false teachings.
This warning is just as relevant for us today – there are some who teach falsehoods or half-truths as God’s truths. I’m sure many of these people are well-intentioned, though being misled means they mislead others. Of course some know what they’re teaching is false and they’re intentionally misleading others…
This is one of the key reasons it’s critical for us to know God well, and know His word. Listening to others teach God’s word is good, though we must weigh their words against God’s word to know what is true. I like to think the vast majority of teaching out there is very good, profitable, and in alignment with scripture, though we don’t know that for sure if we don’t know scripture well enough.
I encourage us to continue spending personal time in prayer and scripture every day. By doing so we will know God well enough that the Spirit can help us discern His truth from falsehoods. The better we know God’s words and heart the harder it will be for us to be misled, and the harder it will be for us to (unintentionally) mislead others.
Father God, our Wise and Discerning Lord, holy, holy, holy is Your name. We thank You for the teachings You provide. May we study and hide Your word in our hearts, aligning us more closely with You, so we may not be misled. By sticking to the paths of righteousness may we also set true examples for others, not leading them astray in our own misunderstanding. We seek to praise, honor and glorify You, from this forward, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training