Watch out, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees

The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Jesus they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, ‘When it is evening, you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.” And in the morning, “It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.” You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.’ Then he left them and went away.

When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ They said to one another, ‘It is because we have brought no bread.’ And becoming aware of it, Jesus said, ‘You of little faith, why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? How could you fail to perceive that I was not speaking about bread? Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!’ Then they understood that he had not told them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

- Matthew 16:1-12

The Pharisees and Sadducees wish for a sign from heaven, to prove that Jesus is Messiah. My study bible notes that the time of the Messiah is indeed a time of signs. But the signs that have already been performed by Jesus are lost on the Pharisees and Sadducees, despite the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy as noted in yesterday's commentary. They demand something yet more spectacular, some proof of which they can approve that will convince them, without faith, that Jesus is indeed a messianic figure. For this reason, this failure to recognize the signs already coming, Jesus chastises them for their inability to "see," to perceive what is happening in their presence. "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' And in the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times."

Jesus continues: "An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah." This is his final word to the Pharisees and Sadducees in this particular encounter. This is not the first time (nor even the second) that we have encountered these scathing words in Matthew's gospel, "an evil and adulterous generation." Indeed, the words and scathing commentary are the same and given for the same reason in the reading noted (see link). Those who cannot follow nor accept what is given by Jesus, such as the people who followed him up the mountain in yesterday's reading, are asking for signs out of their disbelief. They have failed to discern the presence of the kingdom that has come near to them. As in the previous reading noted above, they have failed to discern that which is "greater than Solomon" which is before them. And, also, as in the previous reading (see link), the sign noted is the sign of Jonah. Jonah was three days in the belly of the whale. This is an allusion to the three days between Jesus' death and resurrection.

Finally, we move on to the next "scene" in our story. Jesus has joined the disciples and they reach the "other side." Once more, a pattern repeats itself. They've rowed across the water. There are concerns for food, for not having enough bread. The disciples have forgotten! Jesus, still brooding on his encounter with the religious leadership, says to them, "Watch out, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." And here occurs one of the comic moments in scripture that I personally have great fondness for. The disciples really don't understand him at all. Not only have they forgotten bread, they have no idea what Jesus is talking about. "They said to one another, ‘It is because we have brought no bread.’" So, it's not just the Pharisees and Sadducees that cannot discern nor understand. Jesus' own disciples are having trouble with their understanding as well! The difference is, however, that they are willing to listen and to learn. They continue to follow. They have faith and are not demanding signs as proof. Their faith is engaged in their hearts already.

"Jesus said, ‘You of little faith, why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? How could you fail to perceive that I was not speaking about bread? Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!’ Then they understood that he had not told them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees." I think that we have to beware of this teaching ourselves. Faith engages us in the heart. It's something that happens internally in us. When we pray, we pray for engagement with a spiritual life, with a "personal" relationship to the kingdom, to the Three in One Persons which we recognize as part of Christian faith. In the figure of Christ, we have the great figure that has come into the world to engage us, as one of us. He has brought all of Himself here, into our world, in order to engage, to present, to bring the kingdom near. How we perceive from there is up to us.

How does one open up one's heart to receive? One's spiritual ears to hear and eyes to see? Clearly, Jesus is indicating here that there are ways in which we can block that perception. There are ways of thinking, ideas and self-limitation which we can receive from others, which can in some sense poison our own capacities for receiving. This is what Jesus is calling "the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." We recall the demand for a sign, the demand to meet the conditions imposed on God for how God is to present Himself to the world. Do we place demands on the holy that come from rather arrogant, self-centered and self-serving human perspective? Or are we here instead to be expanded by revelation from God? How does this relationship work? To what end has God created us? If it is not for our own growth and expansion, then what, instead? We can go one way or the other. How do we choose to grow? How do we serve God?