Beware of the yeast of others!

It's almost Christmas and we are expectant, the Joy of His Birth, Christ our Lord. Today let's walk in awareness and gratitude of the things He has done and honour the Lord.

You can start by thanking Him for your life and the gift of His breath in your lungs.

Let's pray:

Father we thank you and we bless you, we receive your bread specially baked for us, let the words guide our steps and fill us with your love and truth afresh, we love you, Amen.

Welcome fam, to the house of the Lord. Our word is from Mark chapter 8. I urge you to read the whole chapter during your bible study, let's break bread.

Now Jesus had performed a big miracle, he had fed a large crowd of about 4000 people with seven loaves of bread and a few fish.

Not only did everyone get to eat their fill, there were even leftovers of seven large baskets. Immediately after that He crosses over into another region.

Here another story unfolds.

Mark 8:11(NLT)

11 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.

Note:

The Pharisees represent people in our lives who want us to prove ourselves to them, to meet their expectations, to follow their thought process, they love to argue and poke at you. Plus usually, they are time wasters, they either make you tired or distracted or breed confusion.

Mark 8:12-13(NLT)

12 When he heard this, he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, "Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth I will not give this generation any such sign.

13 So he got back into the boat and left them, and he crossed to the other side of the lake.

Note:

Jesus gave an answer I want us to replicate, first he chose to not argue or prove himself. This means He did not feed their desires. Second He left them and the place, He didn't linger around, He cut them off and relocated. He didn't waste time. When people don't understand and can't align don't force or explain, move on.

Mark 8:15(NLT)

15 As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, "Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod."

Note:

These people (Pharisees and Herod) represent religious people and people in authority. But it's not limited to just these categories. It speaks of people in our lives who have influence or have your ear.

It can be a parent, a friend, a boss, a spouse, a teacher, a motivational speaker, a mentor, or anyone.

The yeast is an ingredient used in baking bread, it acts as a leavening agent, the yeast does this by eating the sugars in the dough, then it produces gases (carbon dioxide) which get trapped, making the dough rise and become light and airy, whiles developing a complex flavour.

What is Jesus telling us?

To be careful of the words, influence and actions of others that act as yeast.

To make light a dream or try to determine the worth of your vision, or change your core, to try and groom you to fit what they have in mind.

To give you well sounding wrong advice or inflate you with air but no substance, it can be people who come to confuse you.

God is not a confusing person, if you realise your relationship with someone causes doubt, fear or confusion. Cut them of, if you can't do that, slowly withdraw. We have work to do, we are called to a mission, a vision and a purpose.

Let's pray:

Father we thank you for your word, we thank you for guiding each step and path we take, let your wisdom and spirit of discernment be loud in our hearts, give us unease around wrong people. We bless you and receive your love, Amen.

If you want to know Jesus, say with me:

Dear Jesus, come into my heart, I make you my Lord and Saviour, I repent of my sins, I believe you died on the cross to reconcile me back to God, I receive your love and new life, Amen.

Don't be distracted, keep up the good work! 🔥❣️❣️