Bible Study For Today Is Matthew 16:5-12
“Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees” Is there a such thing as a little bit of sin?
Jesus explains in this Bible study lesson from Matthew that, even as Christians, we can do small things that will affect a whole crowd of people.
When Jesus warns of wrong teaching He is speaking about the religious leaders but, His message could also be directed toward modern day people as well..
Even a congregation!
In Matthew – Jesus Warns of Wrong Teaching
And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread.
And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, “He said that because we did not bring any bread.”
But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread?
Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up?
Or the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many large baskets full you picked up?
How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. – Matthew 16:5-12 NASB
The Wrong Teaching of Sadducees and Pharisees – Be Careful Who You Listen To
To start, let’s examine the naive nature of the disciples. It seems they are always scratching their heads when Jesus speaks.
After all the miracles Jesus had performed before them they still didn’t have a clue as to who He really is.
“Men of Little Faith“
We are sometimes just as much in the dark when our faith falters.
Even though we read the Bible and know what Jesus can do, we still turn to everyone but God when we need help. This is off topic but just wanted to point out one of my own failings.
Now, back to the leaven of the religious leaders …
In understanding this passage we need to take a little cooking class.
I am the last person to tell anyone how to cook ( I can make hot dogs and cheese sandwiches) but leaven bread was a common term in the Jewish community.
Bread will rise when yeast is added. Just a small amount of yeast is all it takes for a large amount of bread.
The same is true of salt or other spices. A pinch of salt will add flavor to a whole pot of whatever is cooking.
Wrong Lessons – Jesus Says
Jesus is not talking about bread in these verses. He is speaking of evil.
The wrong teachings of the Sadducees and Pharisees, no matter how little the variation, was affecting a large amount of people and leading them in the wrong direction.
The same goes for us.
When we do wrong (sin), how many people do we affect?
Pray – Think – Act
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”0718091469″ locale=”US” src=”https://makingchristknown.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/51pFC8ppQZL.SL160.jpg” tag=”bobpardphot-20″ width=”110″]Let’s try to think about the consequences the next time we are tempted to tell ourselves that this “little bit of wrong” won’t really cause anyone harm.
Remember, a little goes a long way so pray about decisions before making them.
God will help us make the right ones.
Love In Christ
– Bob
If you would like to discover how to receive the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment and read John 3:16 to learn more.