A Little Yeast

 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. (Galatians 1:6-10 ESV).

 

Yeast is a single-cell organism, called Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which needs food, warmth, and moisture to thrive. It converts its food — sugar and starch — through fermentation, into carbon dioxide and alcohol. It's the carbon dioxide that makes baked goods rise. The most common use of yeast has been in the making of bread, though makers of wine and beer have also used yeast for centuries to ferment the mixture to make it alcoholic. It is also used in scientific research, the manufacture of biofuel, and probiotics.

 

It is also used as an illustration in the Scripture. We see it in our reading today. These verses are from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians. It seems that other preachers followed Paul’s missionary work there and convinced the new believers they needed to become Jews if they were to truly be followers of Jesus. The apostle has some very harsh things to say about these men and their beliefs. Most notable is found in our reading as he remarks that “A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (v. 9). The intent was to help them understand the great danger of even a little deviation from the gospel. Jesus also spoke of this danger:

 

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. (Matthew 16:11-12 ESV).

 

The “teaching” Jesus referenced was the continual adding of more commentary to the means of obtaining forgiveness and a right standing with God. They altered the message of God which was never about our works and always about the work of God. The heart of the gospel is found in God’s extension of mercy to us because of the atonement of Jesus on the Cross. It is a grave mistake to believe that there is yet something that must be done to complete the justice served by Jesus’ death. And, before we come to believe this was just a result of the Jewish religious leaders, we must look at much of our own beliefs within the Christian community. Nothing… absolutely nothing needs to be added to the work of Jesus. Denominational requirements may be a necessary part of being a part of that group, but they are completely unnecessary in the inclusion to the family of God. That “leaven” exists in too many churches today. Trust the work of Christ alone!