Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples to, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O you of little faith, why reason you among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Do you not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up? How is it that you do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that you should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?”, and in chapter sixteen and verse twelve of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus was referring to “the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” where we read:
Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread,
but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
The verse reads, “Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, ...”. Matthew began with the word, “then” which means “at that time and moment” “understood they” or “perceived, knew and discerned the disciples” “how that he bade them” which means “how Jesus instructed the disciples” “not beware” or “not to be inattentive to, disregard and uncontentious” “of the leaven” which means “pertaining to the fermentation or inveterate mental and moral corruption which is viewed in its tendency to infect others” “of bread” which refers to “loaves of flour mixed with water and baked”. Matthew shared how Jesus' disciples understood that Jesus was not warning them about forgetting “physical” bread.
The verse goes on to say, “... but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” Matthew continued with the word, “but” which means “nevertheless, moreover and” “of the doctrine” which means “pertaining to the teachings and instruction” “of the Pharisees” or “belonging to the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life. They sought for distinction and praise by outward observance of external rites and by outward forms of piety, and such as ceremonial washings, fasting, prayers, and alms giving; and, comparatively negligent of genuine piety, they prided themselves on their fancied good works” “and of the Sadducees” which refers to “the religious party at the time of Christ among the Jews who denied that the oral law was a revelation of God to the Israelites and who deemed the written law alone to be obligatory on the nation, as the divine authority”? Matthew shared how Jesus was warning His disciples to be cautious over the “teaching and instruction” of the “Pharisees and Sadducees”.
When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus knew there was error in the “doctrine” of both “the Pharisee and Sadducee” sects. Though they portended themselves as “religious” people who were “in touch” with God, their teachings did not align with God's word. Jesus wanted His disciples to be very careful with their instructions because they were apt to lead someone into believing things that were not true. The same is demonstrated today as many people call themselves “followers of Christ” and live their lives in total opposition to His word. God desires people to worship Him “in spirit and in truth”, and neither trait is to be missing in the true believer's life. The evidence for the belief in the heart of a person is manifested by their “words, attitudes and actions”, and if any of these reveal a life that is out of alignment with God's word, let all who listen to them be warned of their “doctrine” lest they find themselves following people who are like the “Pharisees and Sadducess” of Jesus' day.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus asks His disciples, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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