Matthew 16
New International Version (NIV)
The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees
5 When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
7 They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”
8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Jesus instructed us to follow the commandments. He also said the Greatest Commandment.
Matthew 22:34-40
New International Version (NIV)
The Greatest Commandment
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Jesus also instructed about being too religious with following the commandment of Men is dangerous.
Matthew 15:8-9
New International Version (NIV)
8 “‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
9 They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.”
but their hearts are far from me.
9 They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.”
Peter also warns:
2 Peter 3:3 NIVAbove all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
Paul when instructing Timothy:
2 Timothy 3:1-7
King James Version (KJV)
3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
So when Jesus says to us to “Be careful" - We have to take an additional care in this aspect.
Paul when he wrote to Colossians, he said -
Colossians 4:2 NIV
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Jesus again and again constantly reminded us about the consequences that may happen, if we are not watchful.
Luke 21:36 NIV
Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
In the parable of the Ten Virgins, Jesus instructs us to be aware of the time. To be ready for the master and to be holy and blameless.
Matthew 25
New International Version (NIV)
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Jesus directly instructs us to “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
In Seven Woes on the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees. Jesus says "
Matthew 23:33-36
New International Version (NIV)
33 “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?34 Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. 35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation.
It is said that the disciples forgot to bring the bread, The second thing about them is when Jesus said about "Be Careful" and “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” they thought that “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”
It is very important in our life as to what we hear and listen from people. This is what happened when the Disciples misunderstood about the yeast in the bread is the teachings of the pharisees and sadducees. Jesus reminds them about faith, even after such miracles - feeding thousands of people the disciples worried about food.
“You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Jesus teaches us that its not just wise to chose to hear or listen the good things, but its very important to inquire about it. If we fail to be on guard, guard against the yeast of the pharisees and sadducees, that will bring us to greater condemnation. So, its wise to test the faith, as Jesus said -
So let us hear the word of God, Listen to his instructions only, doing all according to his commandment, being aware of his presence and doing the right thing, according to his will. To be blameless at his appearance. Not to Judge other, but to forgive and bless others.
Matthew 7:21 NIV
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
HAVE A GREAT AND BLESSED DAY AHEAD
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