Where To Put Our Trust

Jun 16, 2016 1936

When they went across the lake the disciples forgot to take bread.
They discussed this among themselves and said, ‘Is it because we didn’t bring any bread.’ Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, ‘You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? 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 bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ Then they understood… (Matthew 16:5-12. N.I.V.).

Rowing a boat across a large lake took a lot of time and energy and the rowers got hungry. The disciples had forgotten to take bread to eat. Jesus rebuked them for thinking he was taking them to task for this oversight. With him on board, there was no excuse for them thinking they would go hungry. He reminded them of the two occasions on which he had multiplied bread for large crowds that had no allegiance to him. How much more would he care for his own? He would not only ensure that his disciples’ needs would be met, he would provide them with basketfuls of left-overs to give to those who were needy.

Primarily, Jesus was warning his disciples against the yeast, i.e. the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees . Yeast, in the Bible is often a symbol of sin (see 1 Corinthians 5:7). The teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees was sinful in that it gave those who followed it a false impression that they would be saved by their works. The gospel of the Lord Jesus however, teaches that we are saved alone by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8).

There are people today who have indulged in the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees; they believe that their good works contribute to their salvation. Such people fret on their death-beds that they haven’t been good enough to go to heaven.

Those, however, who put their faith in the Lord alone, have the assurance at all times that they are saved (1 John 5:11-13). So be done with ‘the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees’ and put your whole trust for eternal life in Jesus alone. If you do, He won’t disappoint you.

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