“The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. ‘Be careful,’ Jesus warned them. ‘Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.’”
Mark 8:14-15
Jesus often references yeast in his metaphorical teaching to his Disciples. In the passage above, Jesus speaks of the yeast, or the evil influence, of the Pharisees and Herod. While in today’s society, not many people spend the time required to make bread from scratch, there is still value to the teaching above. To make bread, yeast is mixed in with flour. Bread only requires a small amount of yeast, and once mixed in with the flour it is impossible to separate the two again. Although the yeast is small, it has a profound effect on the mixture. Without yeast, the dough would not rise. While Jesus was not talking literally about yeast and bread, he was drawing a comparison to sin. Sin, even in the littlest amounts, amounts that may seem completely harmless or insignificant, can have a profound effect on our hearts, minds and souls.
What Jesus is warning his disciples in the Scripture above is to be careful around the Pharisees and Herod. Though the “yeast” they bring may seem little, it is capable of tainting the good teachings of Jesus. In our world today, it is easy for us to call out or notice the “big sins” like murder, adultery, or corruption, while we merely dust the small sins or the “yeast” under the rug. However, as it only requires a little yeast mixed in with flour to make bread, the little sins are capable of destroying your life as well. While it may seem insignificant, these “small sins” cannot be disguised or diminished in their worth. Sin is sin. Sin, no matter how big or small, still reaps the same consequences.
Prayer:
Father,
Help me to learn from this metaphor Jesus shared with his disciples. Help me not to think of my sins as big or small, but to understand that sin is like yeast, and any amount can impact my life. Help me to come to you for forgiveness and to never underestimate what danger sin poses to my life by drawing me away from you.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
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