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Mark 8:14-21
The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod
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The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat.
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“Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”
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They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”
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Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened?
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Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember?
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When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
“Twelve,” they replied.
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“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
They answered, “Seven.”
21
He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
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The disciples were witness to many miracles and wonders, and also being a witness to the direct teachings of the Son of God. Yet, their hearts were hardened against him, and even when stated by Jesus that they were so hardened.
When we are loving, are hearts are trusting. It is a beautiful expression to be loving. There is an eagerness to serve, and to listen. But, when love is in short supply, faith is in short supply. So a hardened heart needs to be convinced of what a loving heart celebrates.
When the disciples were considering what should be done with the one loaf they had among them, they were reacting to what was placed in front of them. They had a situation where they required more than they had in supply. So they looked for a solution that only included what they understood, relying simply on their knowledge.
Jesus warned them to, "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”
Because their hearts were hardened against Jesus, they did not see the opportunity to witness the glory of God through His Son. Instead they looked for a way to become satisfied that would only leave them hungry later.
The Pharisees gained from performing cleansing rituals, that cleansed the outside flesh but did nothing for the sin in the heart. So the Pharisees knew people would continue to sin, and they would gain from continuing to cleanse them. King Herod gained from taxing workers, because he knew they would continue to work, and thus he would continue to gain.
Jesus uses faith to multiply results for the faithful. The smallest amount of faith renders vast results from the Kingdom, results that surpass what is sought, leaving an abundance.
So the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod, uses the faith people place in them, and leaves them wanting more. While faith placed in the authority of God, flourishes in unseen ways, and supplies in abundance what is sought.
This understanding is what the disciples could not find. Because their hearts were hardened towards Jesus.
In defense of the disciples, they all sought to learn. But is was never learning that was needed, it was faith, it was love. It was their nature to seek to learn so to have power come through them. This is what the Pharisees did with the knowledge gleaned from the Law, and this is what Herod and all leaders since then have relied upon. Knowledge, and the covet of knowledge.
You see, knowledge is power to mankind. It is a form of control that mankind uses to make decisions. But faith is not this way, nor is love. None of the disciples served the authority, instead they meant to serve themselves with their knowledge of that authority. And so faith was put aside, and therefore so was love. This is why parables were used by Jesus. Only those who had faith, or had a live for God in their hearts and minds, would flourish in understanding. So is the corruption of mankind.
Love is the key. You cannot be a good servant unless you are loving, as love is selfless. Jesus took on the mantle of servant, because of his love for the Father, who sent him. So he loved us, and loved all who the Father set before him. He served.
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Ephesians 5:21
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Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
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I had a vision yesterday. I did not mention it to anyone because I did not value it. I now share it with you:
Two young men, sitting in the dirt, homeless and hungry, had a loaf of bread. Both knowing Christ was in one another, the first man split the bread in two, giving the second man half. As both ate, they both recognized that tomorrow they would be hungry again, so both saved half of their halves for one another for tomorrow. The next day they did the same, gave each other half of what they had, and what they had they ate half of, and saved half for the other for the next day. This continued for days. The day came when they had only crumbs left. Both satisfied they had been loved and were loved, they ate the final crumbs, and rested spiritually satisfied, and in their wisdom gave thanks to God for the wisdom of love.
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John 6:35
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Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
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Put your trust in the Lord. Love the Father, Love one another. Your confidence in the ways of man will always keep you in need. So place your faith in what gives in abundance, and what lasts for eternity.
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