Matthew 16:1-12

Matthew 16:1-12 NIV

The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. 
He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.”
Jesus then left them and went away. When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didnʼt bring any bread.”
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Donʼt you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you donʼt understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

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Jesus is back in the crosshairs of His opponents, the Pharisees. This is the first time, however that Matthew says the Sadducees are confronting Jesus. The Sadducees were the rationalists of Jesus' day. They did not believe in the resurrection of the body, nor in angels, demons or an afterlife. They affirmed only the written law as authoritative for Israel and denied authority to oral traditions. Typically the Sadducees were wealthy and hellenized, adapted to Greek culture.

They challenged Jesus to show them a sign from heaven, presumably to prove whether or not he was sent by God. Jesus refused to play their game, calling them wicked for demanding a sign. They know how to read the weather, why can't they read the signs His ministry has revealed all along? The blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the mute speak, the dead are raised and good news is given to the poor. Jesus has performed all the signs of the Messiah, but they still will not believe. He told them the only sign they would be given is the sign of Jonah.

The sign of Jonah is a reference to Jesus' death and resurrection. Jonah spent three days in the belly of a great fish. He cried out to God in prayer and the fish vomited Jonah out onto shore. In the same way Death will swallow up Jesus. He will lie dead in a tomb for three days, but on the third day God will raise Him from death.

Even then the Sadducees will not believe, just as today many intellectuals and rationalists do not believe, for they cannot accept a worldview in which the Creator intervenes in our lives in ways that defy their understanding of physical laws.

Jesus crossed the lake again, leaving behind His opponents. While in the boat the disciples realize they forgot to bring bread. When they heard Jesus mention the yeast of the Pharisees, they thought He was upset with them for forgetting bread. Jesus scolded His slow to understand disciples.

Jesus reminded them of the abundance they experienced when He miraculously fed the 5000 with only 5 loaves and two fish. There were 12 baskets left over. And when He fed 4000 with 7 loaves there were 7 baskets leftover. There's enough of what is needed to care for all of Israel and the rest of the world. Then He warned them again to be on their guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The disciples then understood. Jesus was using the word yeast to imply the teachings of these two religious groups.

How might we apply this teaching? Firstly we must understand that when we are focused on the necessary sustenance of the day, we're behaving like faithless people. Jesus taught his disciples not to worry about food and drink and clothing. Instead seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Then all else will fall into place as it should. God knows what you need. Stop talking about bread! In our case, stop obsessing over finances.

Secondly, beware of religious teachers who push burdensome doctrines that enslave rather than enliven. The legalism of the Pharisees and Sadducees had made them judgemental toward others. It's not that keeping religious codes is bad for you. It's just that these fellows somehow let their knowledge become their license to play policeman. Beware of such people in the church. Judge not lest ye be judged.