The Power of a Little Yeast

 

Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive for understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” (Mark 8:14-21 ESV).

 

Mary and I don’t eat a lot of bread; however, we both like the aroma and taste of fresh baked bread. There’s nothing quite as good as fresh baked bread. The “store-bought” bread just isn’t as good. I typically bake a one-pound loaf when I bake. It is remarkable how little yeast is necessary to permeate the entire loaf. Watching it rise is wonderful. This is the background for Jesus’ story in today’s reading.

 

The disciples were worried. As they traveled by boat, they discovered they didn't have enough bread. Jesus overheard what they were talking about and said something that sounds strange to us: "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod." This sounded strange to the disciples too. It started quite a discussion among them because they didn't understand it.

 

Jesus went on to explain that their worry was directly connected to the unbelief of the Pharisees and Herod, the religious leaders and the local king who refused to accept that Jesus was the Son of God. Twice the disciples had watched Jesus take a little bread and feed huge crowds. And yet they were anxious when they didn't seem to have enough to eat. They knew who Jesus was, and yet they were still worrying about their everyday needs. In that sense, said Jesus, "the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod", the poison of unbelief, was flowing through their veins.

 

Worry can be a form of unbelief, and there's still plenty of that poison around today. If Jesus is Lord, why are we so anxious about the details of our lives? Why do we worry so much about our finances or relationships? Why are we so concerned about the future?

 

Jesus offers the antidote to our anxieties. Trust in Him!