Matthew 16:1-12

Read MATTHEW 16:1-12!

 

By now we have seen Jesus do some pretty miraculous things. He has healed a man with leprosy, healed a paralyzed man, healed fevers, healed the demon possessed, calmed a storm, brought the dead to life, healed the blind and mute, fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish, fed another four thousand people with seven loaves of bread and a few small fish, we have also seen Him walk on water and this is just to name a few.

 

    In chapter 16 we see that the Pharisees and the Sadducees ask Jesus to show them a sign from heaven.  They demanded a sign that he was the Messiah. 

 

    As I sit here and read these words, I can't help but wonder do we ever do that?  Do we ever pray for the Lord to show us a sign.  Lord write it in the clouds or something show me a sign.  Can anyone relate?  I know that I can and have in my life probably more then once. When all the while He has already shown Himself to us.  Maybe He has freed you from addiction, saved you from an abusive relationship, maybe he has healed you from a physical disease, maybe he has set you free from something that has had you held captive for years or even your whole life, or just maybe, He has filled you with peace, love and joy - something that this world can not give you.  I want you to not forget about all those signs or evidence of Jesus in your life, because as you read on Jesus told them "none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." (I recommend you read the book of Jonah it's a short one but good one. :)

 

     Then in verse 5 it says they went across the lake and the disciples forgot to take bread.  Jesus said to them "Be careful," "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."  Now here are the definitions of the two.  Pharisee- a member of an ancient Jewish group that observed both the written and the oral law.  Sadducee- a member of an ancient Jewish party that accepted only the written law.  Here is the definition of leaven (KJV) or yeast- 1. to make (dough) rise 2. to spread through, causing gradual change.  I would say after reading the end of verse 12, Jesus was talking about the second half of that definition, but lets not jump ahead.  It says in verse 7 that they discussed this among themselves and said, "It is because we didn't bring any bread."

 

    I guess they forgot about Jesus feeding over nine thousand people with just twelve loaves of bread and a little more then a couple of fish?  That's exactly what He said in verse 8 "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?  Don't you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?  Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?  How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about the bread?  But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."  Verse 12 says 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.  Don't forget leaven or yeast means to spread through/causing gradual change.

 

    So in closing today, I would like you to please write out what things in this world are bad yeast to you?  What are you letting spread through you and gradually change you?  Let us use this chapter and these verses to wake us up.  Lets also not forget to write down the miraculous things the Lord has done for us. :)

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  MELISSA POWELL is the wife of 7 years to James, and step mother to two children.  She works full-time and serves as Co-Director of Children's Church at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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