5When 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.”
7They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”
8Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11How 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.” 12Then 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. (Matthew 16:5-12)
Thoughts: Jesus wants us to not always have our minds on what we have or don't have. Instead, He wants us to think of what is good or evil. In many quarters today- if anything is spiritual it is by nature good. If ISIS teaches us anything it is that "It matters what you believe." Jesus was saying this about a Jewish group that got a lot right but took it to the extreme losing the balance of love and grace. To have all the right beliefs but not have love- we are like a clanging cymbal (1 Cor. 13). Love and grace should tinge every belief. The other side is just to believe in love as if truth doesn't matter. We need to hold onto both truth and love: justice and righteousness.
Eternal things are always more important than physical temporal things. Jesus certainly cares about our physical needs. He originated the physical needs and showed his compassion when he fed the 5,000 and 4,000. Jesus is the great provider. But He also cares more for our eternal soul. He wants the disciples to trust in Him to provide but He also wants the disciples to guard their hearts against false teaching. There are things others teach that wither our souls.
Eternal things are always more important than physical temporal things. Jesus certainly cares about our physical needs. He originated the physical needs and showed his compassion when he fed the 5,000 and 4,000. Jesus is the great provider. But He also cares more for our eternal soul. He wants the disciples to trust in Him to provide but He also wants the disciples to guard their hearts against false teaching. There are things others teach that wither our souls.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be conscious of the things that would wither my soul. Help me to be aware that the teachings I read and put into my mind affect my relationship with you.
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