Day 41: Friday, May 15
Matthew 16:1-12
Now when the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He said, “When evening comes you say, ‘It will be fair weather, because the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, because the sky is red and darkening.’ You know how to judge correctly the appearance of the sky, but you cannot evaluate the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” Then he left them and went away.
When the disciples went to the other side, they forgot to take bread. “Watch out,” Jesus said to them, “beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” So they began to discuss this among themselves, saying, “It is because we brought no bread.” When Jesus learned of this, he said, “You who have such little faith! Why are you arguing among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the 5,000, and how many baskets you took up? Or the seven loaves for the 4,000 and how many baskets you took up? How could you not understand that I was not speaking to you about bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!” Then they understood that he had not told them to be on guard against the yeast in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® http://netbible.com copyright ©1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
COMMENT & QUESTIONS
Didn’t Jesus want the people to believe Him? Why do you think He refused to show them a sign?
Jesus did many signs among the crowds and those who followed Him. However this time, it was the Pharisees who asked for a sign. They had been trying to trick Him and destroy Him. As with the parables, Jesus hid His message and mission from these people.
What does yeast do? Why does Jesus call the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees like yeast?
Yeast spreads through the entire dough. It has an influence on the things surrounding it. Jesus warned His disciples about their teaching since it would influence them in an ungodly way.
Prayers
Pray for open hearts to the gospel in your community