Beware of Those Who Try to Persuade You

By Mary Vee
Mark 8, Matthew 16

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee
See of Galilee where they sailed in today's story

I am a disciple of Jesus.

The eleven other disciples and I arrived with Jesus by boat on the western shores of the Sea of Galilee. 

When we stepped out of the vessel, a group of Pharisees and Sadducees walked up to Jesus. They said they wanted to ask Him some questions. He allowed them to ask.

"Jesus, show us a sign from heaven."

The look in their eyes, that squinty look, showed they only wanted to cause trouble. 

Jesus said, "When the evening comes, you look at the sky and sometimes see red. When you do, you say, 'It will be fair weather.' In the morning, you look at the sky and maybe see a red sky and thickening clouds. When you do, you say, 'It will be stormy.' You know how to interpret the appearances of the sky, but you can't interpret the signs of the times. Look around you. A wicked generation wants miraculous signs for entertainment. I tell you, no such sign will be given except the sign of Jonah." 

Jesus didn't wait for them to say another word. He turned and walked away. "Come," he said to us. "We are getting back in the boat. I have business on the other side."

We climbed back in our boat and set sail. While out on the water. we became hungry. We searched our stores and found only one loaf of bread. 

Jesus said, "Be careful. Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 

We didn't understand what he meant. We talked among ourselves and assumed he referred to the lack of bread. 

Jesus said, "Why are you talking about not having bread? Don't you see or understand what I say? Are your hearts so hard you can't see the meanings? Don't you remember when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand people how many basketfuls of pieces you picked up?"

Of course, we knew. "Twelve," we answered him. 

"And don't you remember when I broke seven loaves for four thousand people? How many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?"

We said, "Seven."

Jesus said, "You saw these miracles and still you don't understand what I meant? Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

That was when we understood he wasn't telling us to watch out for real yeast in bread but to watch out for the wrong teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

I was embarrassed for not figuring that out. But the more I am with Jesus and hear Him teach, the more I understand. And for that, I am so thankful.

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.