The Yeast of the Pharisees

Daily Scripture Threshing for Sunday, January 21, 2024

Today’s Text: Matthew 16:5-12

Key Verse: Matthew 16:6 (ESV): "Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.””

In many teachings of Jesus, He uses physical images and allegories to demonstrate spiritual truth. He does this to draw the message closer and more practically to his hearers. In our text today, He uses the “yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees," an instance reported by all gospel wotness, Matthew, Mark and Luke, except John. Concerning what does “the yeast of the Pharisees means, Jesus did not leave us in any doubt. He points out across the gospels that it was the teachings of the Pharisees which were pervasive, and which produced hypocrisy and unbelief.

They were self-righteousness religious folks whose interest is self promotion, vain glory and proof of personal goodness; rather than seeking the glory of God. You could already tell who these people are in our generation: some church-bosses and hierarchies, and some holier-than-thou brethren. And whereas the yeast of Herod is real on one hand for us, as for them: a yeast of power that lord position over us like it did over  the Jewish people; and our own Pharisees even pally with the yeast of Herod to oppress the people, trample the truth and abuse the name of the Lord.

These yeasts, we must watch against lest they fester among us, the Lord warns. And, we must be aware of how subtle they are with unbelievable pervasive influence over people and our gospel witness. That is why more and more people of our generation slide into denigrating the church, dishonor ministers, despise our testimonials, and would gradually increase in unbelief until they had hardened hearts, just like the Pharisees.

Quote for the Day: “Today's church unfortunately deals more with the problem of hypocrisy, spiritual pride and self righteousnes than any generation of religious folks." — Simon Olatunji

Prayer: Dear Lord and Father, I thank You for Your Word today. You alone are the true bread of life which sustains us each and every day. Give me joy and strength to serve You always and help me to turn away from the leaven of sin, hypocrisy, pride, self-righteousness and worldliness which leads to corruption and death — I ask these things in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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[Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA distributed for free use by individuals, small groups, families, and Christian churches]

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