Thursday, March 15, 2012

Pass the Bread, Hold the Yeast


S - Matthew 16:5-12 (NLT): "Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any food. “Watch out!" Jesus warned them. "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." They decided he was saying this because they hadn't brought any bread. Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he said, "You have so little faith! Why are you worried about having no food? Won't you ever understand? Don't you remember the five thousand I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of food that were left over? Don't you remember the four thousand I fed with seven loaves, with baskets of food left over? How could you even think I was talking about food? So again I say, `Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.' “Then at last they understood that he wasn't speaking about yeast or bread but about the false teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

O - Context is always important in determining and/or sharpening the content. In chapter fourteen Jesus, engaging the help of his disciples, feeds the five thousand families with five loaves and two fish and baskets of leftovers.  Then, in chapter fifteen and again with the direct involvement of his disciples, he feeds the four thousand families with seven loaves and a few fish again with baskets of left overs.  While time passes between these occurrences it is not weeks and weeks and here they go right back to bread.  The questions to those who are with him in his work:
1.       Why are you worried about having no food?
2.       Won't you ever understand?
3.       Don’t you remember… (baskets of food left over -- twice)?
4.       How could you even think I was talking about food?
These are still very valid and important questions for all believers and especially for all who work with the Lord.  However, they all turn on an assessment which Jesus makes and which precedes them all.  The assessment? "You have so little faith!"

A - While faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains it can also be unapplied, unengaged, missing the kingdom, the point and how life on earth with Jesus is to be lived.  It affects how we hear Jesus, how we think, what we're "willing to believe for" and how we live out our daily lives.  Jesus wants me/us to think like he does, speak, act, believe and love like he does - as the Father sent me so I am sending you.  The world, church and secular alike, will not encourage or support this mode of living.  My/our own fallen humanity will not gladly go this way … even though with him there is no reason to fear and no lack.  So, this day and in every way, with however much or little faith I may currently have, the work of God is to believe and this literally changes everything and changes me (my hearing, thinking, speaking, loving, acting, asking, believing).  How beautiful!  Pass the bread and get the yeast of the Pharisees out of here.

P - Lord,
This is the day … and every day begins the same way … with you all things are possible and the last thing you want any of us worried about is bread.  You are awesome and I believe.  I pray against the yeast of the Pharisees in me. I pray for the yeast of your kingdom in me.  I pray that today you will fill my eyes, mouth, mind, heart, hands, feet and spirit with faith so I can make you glad and live as you intend.  Lord, I remember all your provisions for us over all these years.  Lord, I remember your words, spoken and written and I believe them because I believe you.  Lord, I trust you will gladly and humbly live out the fierce personal loyalty you deserve.  Jesus, I love you back, need and want your help, and want to think, speak, act, love, believe and ask like you do.  Lord, thank you for letting me work with you and not merely for you.
How would you like to live and work today?
Steve

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