Yeast Of The Pharisee's

Yeast of the Pharisees

Mark chapter 8:14-8:21

Introduction-

This morning I want to look at Mark chapter 8:14-21.

It is one of many accounts where Jesus is trying to teach a lesson to hard headed disciples.

In the timeline of Jesus ministry

The disciples have been a part of Jesus driving out evil spirits

healing people

Spent time with Jesus on a boat and Him calming a rough sea

Fed over 5000 on a hillside.

They watched Jesus walk on water

Reward a Syrian women

Now again in chapter 8 he has just fed 4000 plus again.

Jesus and his disciples are journeying on in chapter 8:11-

“The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus, to test him. They asked him for a sign from heaven. (12) He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for miraculous signs? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.”

We pick up the rest of the story in the text this morning.

Mark chapter 8:14-21

The disciples by their own admission forgot to bring bread, to buy some food.

It says that they only had one loaf of bread on the boat.

Doesn’t say but I wonder if that one loaf was left from the last time and last trip on the boat.

(15) Be careful Jesus warns, “Watch out for the yeast of Pharisees and that of Herod.”

What was Jesus telling them?

Warning labels are put on certain products to help us.

People warn us to try to help us.

Warning labels tell us not to drink things that could hurt us.

How to properly use something.

Reading warnings could save your life, or at least help you.

Warnings usually come from someone else’s expense because we do not want to see them get the same results.

Between warnings, experiences, common sense usually lays the truth.

Do you really have to put on a hot cup of coffee that it is hot? Not if you have common sense.

Do you really need to tell someone not to drink paint? Not if you have common sense.

The disciples spent time with Jesus.

They experienced and saw Jesus do tremendous things.

We like to think that we would not be hard headed, and would receive quickly the things that Jesus was teaching.

Picture this scene for a minute- they discover that they have no food. Probably noticed when their stomachs began to growl. Where is the food? Peter was supposed to bring it, no James was suppose to get it. No, no, I remember Jesus telling Matthew to bring it.

The blame game begins! In the series “Taking Responsibility for your life” on Wednesday night we hear all about all kinds of reasons to blame someone else for your shortcomings, forgetfulness, and laziness. It is everyone’s fault except yours.

Wouldn’t it be nice if someone would take responsibility? Instead of blaming everyone else.

Well, that is not what is happening here.

(16) They discussed this with one another, and said, “it is because we have no bread.”

(17) Aware of this discussion, Jesus asked them, “Why are you talking about having no bread?

Do you still not see or understand?

Are you hearts hardened?

Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?

Don’t you remember when I broke the five loaves for the thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up? Twelve they replied. And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up? They answered seven, He said to them, Do you still not understand?

You don’t understand- you are hear blaming each other for not bringing bread. It is not about bread. I already showed you that bread is not a problem.

“Watch out for the yeast of Pharisee’s and that of Herod.” The disciples had a moment after that, but we need explanation.

The Pharisees wanted signs from heaven

Jesus was always on the hot seat to prove Himself.

Prove His divine calling, show us another miracle.

Jesus says no more!

Because you are asking in unbelief.

Yeast is a symbol of evil and corruption.

A tiny amount of yeast can contaminate a large amount of dough.

The Pharisee’s were people that thought it was more important to follow rules that love and follow God.

They thought they understood how to obey God, but when Jesus came to show them the right way, they would not listen.

Herod was a evil ruler.

Heartless and very selfish in his ways.

Jesus brings us some life lessons. If you read this text too fast, we will miss them.

Herod and the Pharisees were bad influences.

They polluted people with their thoughts and teachings.

Jesus is telling them to be careful that they do not corrupt their teachings.