24.150 | Beware Of The Leaven Of The Pharisees And Herodians | Mark 8:14-21 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Text: Mark 8:14-21 ESV

14 Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.

15 And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

16 And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread.

17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened?

18 Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?

19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.”

20 “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.”

21 And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

-Mark 8:14-21 ESV

BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES AND HERODIANS

Jesus and His disciples left the place, to avoid the Pharisees. He rebuked them for asking Him sign when they saw His miracles. It was a waste of time to be with them. They moved away fast so that they forgot to brIng bread with them in the boat except one loaf. Or, they presumed someone had brought bread. A lack of foresight may plague us sometimes in ministry.

As they were in the boat, Jesus warned them, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” A leaven is used as a metaphor for influence and growth (Gal 5:9) either for evil (1 Cor 5:8) or good (Mat 13:33). Jesus argued with the Pharisees several times about their insistence in putting man-made tradition above the needs of the people (see Mark 2:15–28; 3:1–6; 7:1–23). Herodians were not religious sects but exerted secular and political power. In short, Jesus wishes to warn the disciples to avoid their teaching (Mat 16:12)—whether the love of manmade tradition or secular power.

And in a moment, the disciples were discussing that they were not able to bring bread. That is, they lack food to eat during the journey. 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? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? They forgot altogether the two miracles of feeding which resulted to 12 and 7 baskets of excess bread. Having experienced the miracles, they doubted and were filled with unbelief. They are in danger of rejecting Jesus just like the Pharisees and Herodians, who were filled with unbelief, are they not?

Like the disciples, we are prone to doubt and distrust God, are we not? God has been so good to us everyday. Yet, we doubt whether He can sustain us tomorrow. If we really believe Jesus is our Savior, we will trust Him to give us what we need. If we believe God is loving, we will trust Him to take care of us. If we believe that our commission as believers is to spread the gospel and seek God's kingdom, he will sustain us through His abiding presence.

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