Read Matthew 16. (Click here for more information about this devotional.)
In verses 5-12, Jesus warns the disciples about the false teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. His warning takes the form of an unusual comparison to yeast. The reason for comparing it to yeast is not immediately clear, either to the disciples or to us. The disciples, not knowing how the words “yeast” and “Pharisees/Sadducees” connect, decide to focus on the first of these three words and conclude that Jesus is unhappy with them for not bringing food (v. 7).
When Jesus comments on their discussion, he reminds them of the miracles he did to feed the five thousand and the four thousand. Then he emphasized again that he is talking about “the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” The disciples then understand that Jesus is warning about the teaching of these religious parties, not about bread that rises (v. 12). Then the thought ends.
Matthew does not interpret the phrase “yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees” other than to say that it is the false “teaching” of these two groups (v. 12). But what is point of comparison between yeast and teaching? In what way does false doctrine resemble yeast?
In a previous context, Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to yeast (Matthew 13:33). There, the similarity between yeast and the kingdom seems to be that the kingdom starts small but eventually permeates all the dough. Likewise, the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees had a similar pattern of spreading, though in this case, unlike bread and the kingdom, its leavening is corrosive rather than beneficial.
I think that Jesus’ warning in this passage applies to false teaching beyond the errors of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The history of Christianity demonstrates how entire systems of doctrine can be corrupted by an small misinterpretation. This word from Jesus underscores the need to guard what teaching we accept as valid. While there can be a tendency among some Christians to be divisive over insignificant details, a more common problem in my opinion is for Christians to be unconcerned, even careless, about doctrinal deviations from TV evangelists, popular Christian authors, radio preachers, Christian musicians, traveling preachers, and even their own friends and pastors. Jesus warns us to be on guard because even a small amount of false doctrine can spread and corrupt your entire Christian faith.
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