Oh, how easily we forget!
The disciples (and even the Sadducees and Pharisees) had seen the miracles that Jesus had performed, yet in the beginning of Matthew Chapter 16 we see the Pharisees and Sadducees wanting a miracle from heaven. Everything else he had done before that day “wasn’t good enough”. Then we see Jesus telling the disciples, “You of little faith!”, as they are discussing among themselves that they didn’t bring any bread with them as they travelled across to the other side (opposite shore).
The disciples had seen Jesus feed the 5,000 and then feed the 4,000, yet they are concerned about not having brought any bread with them. They seen these miracles happen before their eyes and worried about not having bread, when the very Bread of Life was with them and had been with them! He goes on to tell them to beware of the teachings of the Sadducees and Pharissees…calling it “leaven”, or the yeast. This was apparently common in Jewish cultural that when something was evil or corrupt it was referred to as leaven. Just like when baking bread (not that I really know ‘cause I’ve never made bread in my life, but I looked it up), if you let the yeast rise too long, your bread will have a sour, unpleasant taste. Isn’t that what false doctrine will do to our hearts?
I see a little bit of of the modern day “Christian” in these 12 verses. We are like the Pharisees and Sadducees in that we are constantly needing “proof” of the miracles of God. We have all done it…”Lord, show me”…”Lord give me a sign.” Now I’m not saying that is wrong, but hasn’t He already showed you? Hasn’t He already proven to you that He loves you and cares for you? Don’t be so quick to want more “proof”.
We can be like the disciples, too. We easily forget how far God has brought us on this side of eternity…how He has provided for us and blessed us. We are usually looking at what we are lacking instead of what He has already provided. We look over the things that will last forever, to search for something to satisfy a temporal need.
We can allow this world to corrupt us to the point we begin to look and act very unpleasant. This world is full of so much leaven (sin) that it is easily to get distracted as our bellies grow hungry for truth.
Stay focused on The Bread of Life. He is always filling and always satisfying. Don’t forget to taste and see (daily), that the Lord is good! Don’t forget how good God has been to you…all the small miracles YOU have seen!
