We didn’t do our typical walk/jog this morning. The dogs are kind of complaining about that. Wish I could take them up to the snow and do the trail from Timberline to Government Camp as they so love to do—but the temperature up there at present is about the same as it is here—about 35 degrees. That fact reduces my motivation to about zero. Lots of work out there awaiting me. At least it looks to be dry and pleasant winter weather.
have come to the conclusion that when Jesus says, “Be careful,” or “Be on your guard,” a very important and 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.