TEXT
Matthew 16:1-12 NLT
One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus’ claims by asking him to show them a miraculous sign from heaven. He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow, red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You are good at reading the weather signs in the sky, but you can’t read the obvious signs of the times! Only an evil, faithless generation would ask for a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away.
Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any food. “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They decided he was saying this because they hadn’t brought any bread.
Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you worried about having no food? Won’t you ever understand? Don’t you remember the five thousand I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of food that were left over? Don’t you remember the four thousand I fed with seven loaves, with baskets of food left over? How could you even think I was talking about food? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.'”
Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about yeast or bread but about the false teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
READ
Again they ask for a sign, and “Jesus left them and went away.” He warns his disciples against the faithless evil of these religious leaders. But it seems they have already been infected; they have forgotten, so quickly, the power of their Master to provide every need. “You have so little faith,” he says. “Don’t you remember?” he says. “How could you even think I was talking about food?” he says. At last they understand.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us…
-Brian Rhea