When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”  They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”

Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?  How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 

Matthew 16:5 – 12

Normally, in the Bible, yeast is a good thing, bringing life to wheat flour in bread-making.  Here, Jesus flips things, some yeast is bad.  Of course, Jesus is not talking about the yeast that is used for making bread but of the kind of harmful yeast that gets into a good batch of bread dough.  He warned, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Jesus made it clear that he was not referring to common household bread-making but to the teaching of Israel’s renowned teachers.  The Pharisees, on the one hand, elevated literal interpretations of the law, and the Sadducees, on the other, who spiritualized many of the ancient Biblical passages. Both were wrong, both carried bad “yeast” so to speak.  Their approach to Scriptures did not bring its words to life to bless but in fact changed the meaning of faith in God and all that means.

What is that harmful yeast?  As I read these wonderful passages of how Jesus ministered I see that he is referring to trying to earn God’s favor by self-effort.  Instead of letting God speak directly into life, they determined how God should speak.  In so doing they got salvation all wrong.

I find this tendency in myself.  I feel the need to fit what God speaks into my little world, thus dulling the power of the Word to change me.  I critique God, instead of him critiquing me.

Dear Lord, take the leaven of self-effort out of my “dough.”  Self-effort that places me at the center, not God, is corrupting leaven!