This is a special message for our current toxic political and religious environment. Jesus has something to say about all of what is going on. We have political and religious elites making all kinds of wild claims. We are divided.
It is a wakeup call for the disciples of Jesus. Now is the time we all need to stand for Jesus and His Kingdom. We need to seek to live and grow in the Kingdom of God, not in the City of Man.
We are to be salt and light in the world, but do not cross over into being “of the world” or insinuate that Jesus is “of the world.
We need to pay attention here. Jesus is warning us. A little yeast in a lump of dough will cause it to rise and become larger. If one wishes to make unleavened bread, then yeast will defeat the purpose by causing the loaf to rise. When used in the Bible as metaphor, yeast is an undesirable thing.
Jesus commands us to be VERY careful! Jesus used the metaphor of yeast to signify that which posed a danger and a contaminant to those He warned.
We have been warned. Will we listen?
Jesus warned of a “yeast” that was both religious and political. He lumped together the yeast of hypocritical religious elites (the Pharisees) with that “of Herod,” referring undoubtedly to those who supported and put their faith and hope in Herod Antipas, who in turn represented politics and the secular State.
In referencing the “yeast of Herod,” Jesus may have referred to those who sought religious and social security and reform through political means and connections. The most likely purveyors of the “yeast of Herod” were the Sadducees and the Herodians. Would Jesus say today about the “yeast of Obama” or the “yeast of Trump”? What about the “yeast of the Baptists” or the “yeast of the Catholics”?
He then left them, got back in the boat, and headed for the other side. But the disciples forgot to pack a lunch. Except for a single loaf of bread, there wasn’t a crumb in the boat. Jesus warned,
Then he gave them strict orders: “Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” | Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Mark 8:15). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
- In a parallel passage in Matthew chapter 16, Jesus warns of the yeast of the “Pharisees and Sadducees”.
- The Sadducees were the wealthy ruling party in Jewish cultural life. Unlike the Pharisees, the Sadducees were supporters of Herod and of the Roman establishment in Palestine. To a large extent, their political leanings and involvements were designed to protect their wealth and social position.
- The Herodians were another Jewish political party who, like the Sadducees, supported Herod. Given the fact that both the Sadducees and the Herodians supported Herod and the local Roman-installed, occupation government, Mark’s use of the phrase “yeast …of Herod” could just as easily have referred to Herodians as Sadducees.
- Matthew breaks any tie here by using “Pharisees and Sadducees,” and his reference to Sadducees is quite consistent with Mark’s use of the phrase “that of Herod.” Jesus is warning us about all religious and political elites. Warning He says.
In warning of the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod, Jesus issued a caution which is highly relevant in our day and time. Today we might state the warning this way:
- Religion and political activism make dangerous and destructive bedfellows. Seek to live and grow in the Kingdom of God, not in the City of Man. Be salt and light in the world, but do not cross over into being “of the world” or insinuate that Jesus is “of the world.”
- True discipleship seeks the Kingdom of God, which is not of this world, while political activism inevitably seeks to grow and shape the City of Man, which is entirely of this world. Elitist religion and secular politics are not primarily interested in Jesus or the Kingdom of God, but in the distribution and use of religious and political power.
- Our true and lasting hope is in Jesus, the Messiah, rather than in religion and politics. When disciples become political activists behind the banner of religion, it is easy for us to go way off track and ultimately to lose our connection with the Kingdom of God by identifying excessively with the City of Man. So, we must watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod, the religious elites and corrupt politicians.
In their great political “messiah watch,” inhabitants of first century Palestine were running from pillar to post, listening first to this one, then to that one. They were latching onto whoever seemed to dish out the most promises and perform the most marvelous works and shouting down those they considered shams.
- At first, many seemed convinced Jesus was the one who would take over the country and its political processes. Jesus would kick out the Romans, establish political control, and hand power back over to the people – sort of like a 1st century moral majority movement. However, when this proved not to be Jesus’ mission, they turned against the Master and crucified Him. Killed Him. They thought that would work. It didn’t. Jesus rose from the dead. He said He would and He did. Jesus established the Kingdom of God. Quite a feat.
- The problem was that they really did not want Jesus. They weren’t seeking the Kingdom of God. Instead they sought relief from political oppression, and they believed it would come through a religious figure who would turn away the Roman occupiers and “straighten things out” by cleaning up the political situation.
- Jesus did not come to launch a political movement. He is not interested in any “moral majority” or the “religious right or left”. Jesus did not come to reform politics or to set the government straight.
- Jesus did not make political promises, and He did not seek to mix His message of redemption and hope with any political reforms.
- Jesus came as a suffering servant, Messiah and redeemer, hardly what many were looking for. His message did not satisfy the longings of those who sought a political solution – in fact, in their religiously charged zeal to be liberated from Roman domination and occupation, and in their disappointment that Jesus was not the one they thought they were looking for, they soon turned on Jesus and murdered the Master of Glory.
This is yeast worth being warned about!
Religious establishment elites and leaders of the early first century were driven by desires for secular power and religious control. Sound familiar?
The talking heads of our own day are driven by ratings, advertising dollars, ideology, power and sometimes religious zeal. Whether it is this “Christian spokesman” or that famous “spiritual leader” or this leftist politician or that conservative talk show host, or this “reverend” or that one, we are bombarded daily and hourly by the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod. It is insidious and dangerous. Jesus has warned us.
The terrible result, if we don’t watch out, it is a distraction from the Bread of Life.
- Distraction in this sense does not mean that we are in danger of merely having our attention drawn away from the Master in a particular moment – it means we are in peril of having our entire mindset and worldview drawn away permanently. Yeast causes the bread to expand and change its original shape. Religious and political distraction does something like that to the mind and attitude.
- There is a large difference between despair and longing, and a huge gap between fear and hope. The news media, as it serves up the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod, can bend our minds and hearts to fear and despair, pulling us away from the message of:
- Longing “Blessed (aka happy) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6)
- Hope
- “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Master Jesus the Messiah, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the stunning beauty (aka glory) of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5)
- “rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
- I can hear someone say, “you are telling me to put my head in the sand!” Nope! In fact, many of us need to pull our heads out of the quicksand and get them back into the Bible and back into a worldview that is marked by truth and by primary hope in the Good News of the Messiah.
- Jesus came that we might have life. That means abundant, fulfilled, wholesome, victorious life in Him, and the truth is that our ultimate and final deliverance is in Him and no other.
- Jesus, the eternal Son of God and King of God’s world. Proclaimed it. Shout it out. Avoid the elitist rhetoric and conversations.
We must understand that we are living in a “now and later” reality in the Messiah Jesus. “Now” meaning that He has given us His Holy Spirit and His written word by which to grow in Him and form our views and attitudes about everything, and “later” meaning He will return at the appointed time to complete the changes and the redemption we long for.
- Jesus will make EVERYTHING new! This is JESUS we are talking about – not our favorite television evangelist with a political ax to grind, and not any other yeast peddler. Our real hope is in the Messiah, both now and later.
- Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
- Notice that Jesus did NOT say, “…be of good cheer, with me on your side, you can transform and straighten up the world around you, so get out there and use my name to fix politics and society.”
- The Apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians, “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:19).
- When the Master of masters returns to claim His people and His Kingdom, all the words of the talking heads, politicians, pundits and religious gurus put together WILL NOT MATTER! Not a single iota. Nada. Zip. Squadul.
- Every bit of such distracting nonsense should be permanently set aside. Many of us will look back in horror and regret at how much time and attention we devoted to supposedly “transforming society” and all the physical and emotional energy we wasted on it.
Jesus never taught us to be stupid, nor to shirk our reasonable responsibilities as citizens. In fact, He famously said we are to give to the government (aka Caesar) what belongs to the government.
- He did command us not to worry, and to trust Him rather than man, politics or religion for our redemption, deliverance and security. He assured us by both miracles and promises that His supply is always sufficient.
- Immediately before Jesus warned His disciples about the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod, He miraculously fed thousands of people with a few small loaves of bread and some small fish (Mark 8:1-9).
- Right afterwards, the disciples worried because they had forgotten to pack bread! This is the context within which Jesus warned of the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod. The “yeast” He warned of was a yeast of unbelief and misplaced hope.
- Our hope does not come through politics, religion or social reform. Let’s remind one another of this, and let’s set our hope on Jesus alone.
- The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in the Messiah Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Phil. 4:6-8).
This is really a pivotal post Michael and as you have indicated, there are so many similarities that you raise that are relevant to the divisions within the Church today, that it’s not even funny. There is but one Truth and I think we’ve collectively lost sight of that, just like there is but one Way and I think we’ve lost sight of that too and of course, there is but one Life, which explains why the collective Church is in the state that it is in today. I would even go so far as to say that there is only one uncorrupted media source, which is God’s Word, and we’ve radically fallen off course there too. Everyone says that the news media is corrupt but for some reason, we still have a news media source that we make use of, that supposedly tells the truth about worldly political news. That last sentence should stop all of us in our tracks, but it doesn’t. Spin is spin, no matter which side of the tracks you are on, and to ignore that reality says that we haven’t grasped the difference between worldly kingdoms and the Kingdom of God. Far too many within the Church have put down the Great Commission that Jesus gave us, and replaced it with an agenda to achieve self serving worldly goals through unholy means. The “bewares” that Jesus gave us are there for a reason, to avoid corruption and we’ve ignored that warning and it shows. I sincerely thank you for this post and I hope that I haven’t been too outspoken. Blessings.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Lately if I want to know what’s going on I have tried to listen to news from all sides, because they each just tell the part they want you to know, and collectively I might get the full picture. But that is time consuming and overwhelming, so the other option is to listen to NO news at all. This is way less stressful. I do pray for our country every night, for our leaders, and for those whose job it is to protect us. I pray for politicians who obviously (in my opinion) need Jesus. I pray that those who oppose God and always will would be removed and replaced, and in the meantime not succeed in the wickedness they have set out to do. I do hope this country gets back some of its integrity, but I’m not making my faith depend on that. I know corruption is taking us down, but as salt, aren’t we supposed to delay the decay as much as possible? I personally am not involved in politics other than voting and praying, but I believe some believers are called to be involved. As with everything, we need to pray and do what God has called us to do.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very well said. Thanks for the insight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Ann, I agree with what you said. I personally do try to keep relatively informed and I do use multiple sources but it is a delicate balance and the balance is not to be even, it does have to be leaning in God as the ultimate and deciding factor. I think it is important to know where and what the major rabbit holes are but one doesn’t need to go down them to any great depth. Individually and collectively the Church is supposed to be different (salt) and the only way that can be achieved is when our focus and sole source of hope and reliance is Jesus. When we walk in the world our feet get dirty and if we pick politics as our profession, which is a choice that we do have, the same thing happens, but probably even more so. That is why Jesus washed the disciples feet and told them to wash one another’s feet. It’s like choosing to become a medical Doctor. There is nothing wrong in that but when our focus and reliance shifts from Jesus to our own capabilities is where the divergence takes place. We are to be different from and what has happened is that we have become part of, collectively and individually. The Old and New Testaments are focused on one thing, God, Jesus the Son, the Good News and Church government, NEVER world government. Sorting it all out is not easy, it is extremely difficult because staying focused on Jesus, in this world that we live in, requires two sets of eyes and the ability to differentiate one from the other. But our ultimate hope is ALWAYS Jesus. It’s when that changes that we run into problems. When Jesus spoke about the end times, not once did He say that we would be able to delay the decay, what He did say was that WE were to be different, individually and collectively, as the Church, in Him. There is obviously nothing wrong in protecting the lives of innocent children, whether unborn or born when we vote or support a candidate in the worldly government we live in, but the world we live in and the worldly government we are under, is NOT the Kingdom of God. When our faith and trust shifts to our own national strengths and capabilities, we reject God as our King and we replace Him with our own king, just like Israel did in the OT. I don’t have all the answers to all of the questions this perspective brings to the surface but once we grasp the difference between worldly kingdoms and the Kingdom of God, everything changes. And I think that when Jesus said, “… but fear not, I have overcome the world”, pretty well says it all. It’s not hard to understand why we have gone this way, what is hard is admitting our own sin and individually and collectively putting ourselves back under the Kingship of Jesus. The world is divided, the Church is divided, because we are looking at the wrong truth. There is only one truth and it isn’t Trump or Biden. Sorry for running on here Ann. God knows our hearts and He understands this whole mess so much better than we do. Blessings.
LikeLiked by 2 people
As with most of life, it is a balancing act. Tricky, especially when the politics involve children who are too young to make responsible decisions for themselves, and “choices” that will affect them for the rest of their lives. (If, for example, the powers that be are OK, even encouraging, of 8-year-olds changing their gender … ?)
I do not envy those God has put into positions of authority, but I’m glad some of our leaders do love Him (as did Joseph, David, Daniel, etc.). I have heard the biggest trial for Christians in leadership is trying to take a stand for righteousness and feeling little or no support from their brothers and sisters in Christ. Even if we feel that involvement in politics isn’t spiritual, we could at least write to them and let them know we are praying for them.
Yes, God knows our hearts, and whatever we are called to do, it needs to be constantly bathed in prayer.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Heartily agree Ann. Blessings!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi, Michael, Annie and Bruce! I hope it’s ok if I add my two cents, for what it’s worth. I will be honest, I think balance (and its subsequent pursuit) is a lie from the pit of hell. Life is full of tension! We need to learn how to navigate tension more so than seeking balance (sorry if I sound like I am preaching, I am really passionate about this). Jesus will very much help us navigate tension, the warp and woof of life. Whether it’s tension from politics, familial tension, cultural tension or tension in regards to Christian doctrine or dogma, our Triune God will help us navigate these tensions in a manner that pleases and honors Him. An airplane needs tension, without it, it would crash. Tension keeps us connected to our Savior, because without Him we will crash (especially when we choose to fight the current political, cultural tensions in our own strength!). I am thankful for each one of your ministries and hearts for our Triune God! Love and blessings, Mandy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Mandy, I hear what you are saying but . . . (don’t you love that word) I don’t recall saying that maintaining a balance in this world, where we are MORE focused on walking with Jesus, than being affected by what this world may throw at us, won’t have tension in it. There is always available tension, actually a surplus of tension. The question is, WHICH tensions are we going to respond to or exert our energies on, as our priority? Are we going to be consumed by worldly tensions which usually are motivated by power or fear or are we going to learn to be more focused on lessons which God puts before us (including tensions) in our walk with Him which are usually orchestrated by God to help us grow and trust in Jesus? Maintaining a balance is probably a poor way of stating the reality. I don’t think you can avoid dealing with the reality of living in this physical world and the associated tensions that come with it and I also don’t think that God wants us to do that. He wants us to understand where we are and the tensions we will encounter. But, at the same time He also wants us to know that we are in Him and He is in us, and consequently, we are in the world but not truly of this world. You say that balance (and its subsequent pursuit) is a lie from the pit of hell. I am not talking about maintaining a 50/50 balance, I’m thinking more in the line of 30/70 or 35/65 etc, which of necessity, I would think, due to the waves or circumstances around us, will fluctuate at times (less so as we mature in the Lord), but the goal or constant awareness to strive for is to keep more focused on God and His will and control of our lives, than our own will and control of our lives. When Jesus told the disciples about what was going to happen in the end times, He told them to fear not, because He had overcome the world. Jesus didn’t tell them to disregard what they saw, He told them to not allow the natural humanistic response of fearing what they would see overcome them but rather focus on the reality that He had ALREADY overcome the world. So maintaining some balance in how we respond to worldly tensions we encounter is not in itself wrong, as long as we keep Jesus as our priority and main focus point. I am not quite sure why you find the pursuit of balance, as I have defined it, in and of itself, so distasteful unless your definition of balance differs from mine. If it does then would you expand on that for me? Looking forward to your response😊
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hey, Bruce! We are on the same page. I have NOTHING against your lengthy definition of balance. Largely when I hear people speaking on balance it is 50/50 and to me I find that untenable. Tension is all around us and as this world becomes more hostile to the faith tensions will rise. I am in NO way suggesting we should succumb to fear, despair or hopelessness! As sojourners living in this world but not of this world as you mentioned, Jesus Himself will cause tension (bringing a sword instead of peace, stumbling block to those who reject Him). I am sorry if my response came across as saying we should focus more on the kingdom of man rather than on the Kingdom of God, that is diametrically opposite of how I view life. Again, my perception when I hear the word “balance” is 50/50. I don’t seek to respond to tension with balance, because to me, I genuinely view balance as something done in my own strength, as such, I seek to respond to tension with the mind and heart of Christ.
LikeLike
I understand, I suspected it was the 50/50 but I wasn’t sure, even picked a picture were it wasn’t perfectly balanced but couldn’t think of a word that conveyed it better. My mistake for not explaining it better. Good for you for stating it like you saw it! That’s a positive attribute. Blessings to you and Nathan!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very well said Bruce. Jesus is serious about all of this. I know I need to get serious about it as well. Our culture isn’t the problem. Our church and our focus sure can be. We need a wake up call. Jesus is that call. Blessings.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pingback: What does Jesus think about our politics? — Jesus Quotes and God Thoughts – Reasoned Cases for Christ
Thanks for the reblog brother.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so simple, really. Why do we keep trying to make it so hard? Jesus told Pontius Pilate “My kingdom is not of this world.”
LikeLiked by 4 people
Linda, that is it. That is the main thing about the main thing. Blessings.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow this is a very very good post. Best one for this week thus far! We must be careful with how we interact with politics. I do think there’s a Christian worldview of politics but still we got to watch out and also watch our hearts! Good post
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks brother. Have a God blessed Tuesday. God is with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have a blessed Tuesday too
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on The Culture Alternative.
LikeLike
I really love this post! Well said!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent post, Bruce. You covered the subject well. Yes, we are not to put our trust in man but in God alone. Yes, we are not to mix the world, politics, and institutionalized religion with the true church and with our pure faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is our ONLY Savior, not any human being. And yes, we are to warn the body of Christ against such things, and we are to lead them to walks of faith in Jesus Christ.
These are very trying times in which we live and far too many people are being led astray by liars and deceivers. Far too many people are looking to politicians to save them when only God can save them. Far too many people are giving way to fear, and they are letting fear of man control how they live and what they do. But we are to walk in the fear of the Lord and do what he has called us to do. And we are to trust him with our lives and with our future.
God is still on the throne. He is still completely sovereign and in control over all that he has made. Nothing that is happening in our world is out of his realm of control. He will accomplish his purposes through it all. I pray that blinded eyes will be opened and that many (I know not the majority) will turn or will return to the Lord before our Lord returns. I believe this won’t happen, though, without some divine discipline on the wayward church, which I believe we are seeing happening right now.
Blessings to you, Bruce. In Christian love, Sue Love
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michael, sorry, I thought Bruce wrote this. That is why I addressed my comment to him, but it applies the same to you. This was an excellent article. Thank you! Sue
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sue, I understand completely. Thanks for your kind comment. Jesus is King and in charge.
Blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen! Thank you, Michael.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So much of what you have said is true!!!! I wonder about those who take a hard political stand and then want to witness for the Lord…they have immediately excised 50 percent of those listening to them. We have to be so careful with out political views and how we share them!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great point! Thanks for the insight.
Blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thoughtful post, and a topic that continues to have major importance. Too many Christians political views are their de facto religious views, thought it is hard to get people to realize this.
LikeLiked by 1 person