A Little Yeast

I. Biblical Context

Exodus 12:14-20 (Passover instructions)

"This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord. This is a law for all time. [15] For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast. On the first day of the festival, remove every trace of yeast from your homes. Anyone who eats bread made with yeast during the seven days of the festival will be cut off from the community of Israel. [16] On the first day of the festival and again on the seventh day, all the people must observe an official day for holy assembly. No work of any kind may be done on these days except in the preparation of food. [17] "Celebrate this Festival of Unleavened Bread, for it will remind you that I brought your forces out of the land of Egypt on this very day. This festival will be a permanent law for you; celebrate this day from generation to generation. [18] The bread you eat must be made without yeast from the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month until the evening of the twenty-first day of that month. [19] During those seven days, there must be no trace of yeast in your homes. Anyone who eats anything made with yeast during this week will be cut off from the community of Israel. These regulations apply both to the foreigners living among you and to the native-born Israelites. [20] During those days you must not eat anything made with yeast. Wherever you live, eat only bread made without yeast."

• yeast - a change agent working subtly and gradually, yet permeating throughout entire loaf
• yeast was added to dough; ferments & raises dough; portion reserved for subsequent batches
• in regard to Passover, symbolized the suddenness of Israel's deliverance from Egypt; became symbol of the permeating influence and power of sin

II. New Testament negative context

Matthew 16:4-12

Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand 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. [5] Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. [6] "Watch out!" Jesus warned them. "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." [7] At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn't brought any bread. [8] Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, "You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? [9] Don't you understand even yet? Don't you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? [10] Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up? [11] Why can't you understand that I'm not talking about bread? So again I say, 'Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.'" [12] Then at last they understood that he wasn't speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Luke 12:1

Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees-their hypocrisy.

Galatians 5:7-10

You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? [8] It certainly isn't God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. [9] This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! [10] I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you.

• ie - reliance on "Jesus plus" for salvation, justification, righteousness, etc.; esoteric teachings; anything that diminishes Christ

1 Corinthians 5:6-8

Your boasting about this is terrible. Don't you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough? [7] Get rid of the old "yeast" by removing this wicked person from among you. Then you will be like a fresh batch of dough made without yeast, which is what you really are. Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us. [8] So let us celebrate the festival, not with the old bread of wickedness and evil, but with the new bread of sincerity and truth.

• tolerance of sin - we hold each other accountable
• old leaven (wickedness & evil) --> new leaven (sincerity & truth)

III. New Testament positive context

Luke 13:20-21

He also asked, "What else is the Kingdom of God like? [21] It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough."

• Despite the times, the political atmosphere, the ever-changing nature and seasons of the world, the Gospel will never lose its power, but has (and will) spread throughout the entire world until everyone has had a chance to hear

Matthew 24:3-14

Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, "Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?" [4] Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you, [5] for many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah.' They will deceive many. [6] And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately. [7] Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. [8] But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. [9] "Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. [10] And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. [11] And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. [12] Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. [13] But the one who endures to the end will be saved. [14] And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.

Application: Which yeast are you allowing to work through your life?