Insightful Musings on theScriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Greetings, dear people.
Yipee…here comes another adventure-filled week.
It’s looking like, with a little effort by the sun, the fog could burn off to reveal a clear sky. It is also looking like a perfect day to hit the slopes on the mountain. But alas!...Andy borrowed my skis…so they’re about 60 miles away in the opposite direction of the mountain. I have plenty to keep me hopping without the skis.
Have a great day…a blessed day.
Love, Dad/Ray
23 January
Passage: Matthew 15:29-16:12
Focus: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Matthew 16:6.
I have come to the conclusion that when Jesus says, “Be careful,” or “Be on your guard,” a very appropriate response is to BE CAREFUL and BE ON YOUR GUARD.
And what is it that calls for this kind of attention? Jesus here calls it “the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” In general terms, I would call it RELIGION. Religion, by the definition I’m using, is basically the futile effort of a sinful man trying to reach and appease a Holy God. Salvation, on the other hand, is the primary theme of the entire Bible and is demonstrated by a Holy and Loving God graciously reaching down to a sinful man.
Jesus clearly identified this “yeast” back in verse 3 of chapter 15: “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” I don’t think He really expected them to answer that question. Indeed they did answer by their actions. Their religious bias and bondage was at the heart of their plans to kill Him—think of it—religion chose to murder the sinless perfect Son of God. Isn’t religion wonderful?!
God’s attitude toward the yeast of RELIGION is contained in Jesus’ quote from Isaiah: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men” (15:8-9). We have definitely identified something about which to be very careful and guard against! Yet many still ignore that standard and warning with impunity.
“Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully
as when they do it from religious conviction.”
Blaise Pascal