Luke 12:1-3-NLT

Meanwhile, when many thousands of the crowd had gathered so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing is secret that will not be made known. So then whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops.

As I read this direct instruction from Jesus in Luke 12:1, telling the disciples to be on guard against “the yeast of the Pharisees” I started asking myself, am I a Pharisee? Who were the Pharisees? In my Christian journey, I have heard many teachings about Pharisees and many warnings not to be like them.  However, I never took the time to personally learn about them.  How can we be on guard about someone or something that we don’t take the time to study and build our own conviction?  Jesus’ warning about the yeast of the Pharisees tells me there are different types of yeast. He also sent a message to his followers warning them to be vigilant against the corruptible yeast, or in the same way the Pharisees were contaminated could also happen to them. I decided to read about the types and nature of yeast to have a much better understanding about Jesus’ warning.  Overall, I learned yeast is fast in production.  Although asexuality is the primary way of reproduction, they can also produce sexually.  After my short research, I concluded that yeast is not a bad organism, however it can be harmful depending on how it is used or the type of infection that has developed or contracted into your body.

Learning about yeast helps me better understand why Jesus was very specific in his warning.  Jesus went further to name the type of yeast, "Hypocrisy.” As I try to connect what I read about yeast and Jesus’ warning, I can't help but imagine the Pharisees yeast is more connected to the infectious pathogenic yeast that can be harmful and sometimes deadly to the human body.  Since bread is known to have been a part of the Israelite daily diet, I imagine Jesus looking at a loaf of bread when he made the statement, because the disciples could easily connect his lesson to what they were familiar with.

Who were the Pharisees?

According to biblical historians, the Pharisees were highly regarded men from the Jewish religious party who were focused on reinforcing oral tradition that were man-made which was known as the "the unwritten Torah.”  At some point in history (200 CE), the Jews decided to incorporate the teachings of the Pharisees in Jewish Law.  The Sadducees who were the Torah keepers (First five books of the Hebrew scriptures) were against the Pharisees concept of interpreting the Torah to apply it to everyday situations.  The Sadducees believed the Torah should be applied as it is written no interpretation should be applied.  The Pharisees were not a political party but a group of scholars and pietists. Their responsibility was to apply the Torah Law through interpretation according to the circumstances that was presented.  Some Pharisees also served as Scribes during the 1st century, where they had knowledge of the law and drafted legal documents. The Pharisee’s intention was to encourage people to " blindly follow the letter of the law even if it conflicted with reason or conscience.  The goal of the Pharisees was to harmonize the teachings of the Torah with life relevant practices that people can easily followed (Jewish history: Encyclopedia Britannica).

What was the life of a Pharisee like? How did the Pharisees display the act of Hypocrisy in their lives?

Reading about who the Pharisees were and their role in the Spiritual community, it is no surprise to me that Satan utilized them to go against the principle of God's law.  Going back to the yeast warning, I can easily see how their yeast became toxic to their spiritual journey and easily influenced those who listened and followed them.  I can also see how their intentions may have started as God's purpose to provide clarity. Then they drifted away by becoming their own god. Instead of God being the center of life they have become the god of their society. Therefore, it is also no surprise to me that they rejected Jesus’ teaching.  Jesus declared himself to be the only accurate and true interpreter of the Law according to God's will.  Jesus in many of his teachings stated that he was God, and he speaks on behalf of God (John 12:49, John 8:38; John 14:10; John 17:25). In Mathew chapter 23 Jesus challenged the Pharisees hypocrisy but He did not say that everything they told the people was wrong.  On the contrary, Jesus encouraged the crowd and his Disciples to do what the Pharisees told them but don't do what they do.  It seems to me the root of their hypocrisy was that they were not doers of their own teaching.  In my observation, since they sat on the throne of leadership (Mathew 23:2) they perceived themselves as above the law, therefore did not feel that the law of God fully applied to them.

In Mathew 28:18-20, Jesus’ calls everyone who professes to be his disciples to become teachers of his commands which is what the Pharisees were known to be.  Have you ever considered yourself a Pharisee?  I know if we are honest with ourselves as we read this question, the answer is no.  On the contrary, as I dive into this devotional, I have a different perspective about Pharisees. Jesus calls us to apply a different yeast in our lives as his Disciples.  Jesus called you and I to be engaged in the mission as he himself modeled for us during his earthly ministry.  The Pharisees loved being in the position of a commander or a king but not a soldier. Because as a soldier, you are required to engage in the fight which they were not willing to do.  As we are learning and teaching the Bible, we can easily teach the written law or scriptures but not the Gospel according to Jesus.  The Pharisees focused on the law instead of the heart of God. Everyone who professes that Jesus’ standard is our way of life can easily become a Pharisee. As I study Jesus’ ministry, I am learning how I subconsciously sway to the Pharisee’s frame of mind when my intention is to allow the word to transform my life.  So, then I can show grace and truth through Jesus Christ to everyone who God allows me to minister to. According to John 1:14, when the “Word became a human being (Jesus) and lived with us and we saw his Sh’khinah, (Devine presence) the Sh’khinah, of the Father’s only son full of grace and truth” (Complete Jewish Bible). Does your Christian walk reflect God’s divine presence living in us where we show grace and do not compromise the truth of God?  In Mathew 5:20 Jesus says, “For I tell you unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."  The Pharisees lived their lives as spectators for praise of men instead of praise from God.  They also enjoyed the physical wealth they acquired from using the law of God for their benefits.  What I have learned through this devotion is that the Pharisees did somethings right, but they fell short by worshiping the law of God instead of God himself.  Three years ago, I started realizing a pattern throughout Jesus’ ministry as I studied him. He had a purpose for everything he did, and that purpose was to please his Father. I in turn started examining my heart and purpose in my walk with God and it has been eyed opening. I have found myself saying yes and no to things for a different purpose, which is to glorify God not people or my personal ego.  Ask yourself why do you do what you do? Is God’s law a guide for your life and is learning his heart your goal in your Christian walk?