A Three Hundred Word Sermon Starter with Mark 8:14 as the text.
Jesus told his disciples, “Beware of the bread that the Pharisees and the Herodians give you.” In other words, be careful about what politicians and religious leaders offer you. Political and religious leaders tend to want to rule the people instead of to serve the people. Instead, your faith should be in God as you follow Jesus. Jesus proved he could provide for people more effectively than any government or religious institution.
When it comes to economic security, Jesus is the answer. Twice, he fed thousands with a few loaves of bread and some fish. Jesus solved the hunger problem. In the history of humankind, no government has been able to do that.
When it comes to healthcare, Jesus is the answer. The crowds scoured the countryside for sick people for Jesus to heal. He healed the blind. He healed the lame. He healed the deaf and speechless. In the history of humankind, no religious leader has been able to do that. No government could provide that.
When it comes to legislation, Jesus is the answer. The Pharisees and the Herodians had rendered common sense regulations into traditions that could not be changed. Rules for taking care of people in their old age had been nullified. Rules for cleanliness had become less to do with health and more to do with tradition. Jesus declared that the law was for the welfare of the people, not for the subjugation of the people.
Does that mean that political and religious leaders are evil? Not at all. They are people with a service to perform. But, be careful of them because people tend to want to be served rather than to serve. Jesus came that you might have life and that you might live it to the fullest extent. Jesus brings the liberty and freedom that government and religion cannot provide.
