What's The Idea?

As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod.” [Mark 8.15]

If the disciples, who were right there with Jesus, did not understand what Jesus was saying here, I am not going to be so proud as to say I understand what Jesus was saying! However, it seems prudent to at least try to comprehend what Jesus was conveying to His hard-hearted followers.

I believe the clues we need are found in the context of the passages of this event across the Gospels that mention it. In Mark's account, Jesus' warning to the disciples came following an encounter with the religious leaders who were demanding a sign of Jesus to prove His authority. So, there is clue #1. When Jesus made the statement quoted above in Mark 8.15, clue #2 is found in the fact that Jesus not only mentioned the Pharisees (religious leaders) but also Herod. This additional clue is found in the answer to this question: what did Herod and the Pharisees have in common as it regarded Jesus?

Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. [Luke 23.8]

Both Herod and the Pharisees wanted to see Jesus perform miracles. They wanted a sign.

With these clues then, how does "yeast" factor in? We also have scripture to tell us the exact spiritual connotation of yeast:

Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven 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.” [Matthew 13.33]

A little yeast affects the entirety of the dough in which it is placed. In the same way, a little doubt about Jesus' authority negatively affects the "believer's" entire thinking and faith. The subject event of this writing is a case in point: the disciples were arguing about not having enough food. Even though the nurture-requiring, patience-requiring yeast of faith had been added by Jesus in two previous events (feeding 5000 then feeding 4000), the readily-dispersing, fast-acting "yeast" of the unbelieving, sign-requiring Pharisees and Herod had clearly permeated the disciples' hearts and minds making them oblivious to the loaf-multiplying power of God. And therefore they argued about not having enough food!

This makes a compelling argument for prudent control of what we allow into the "dough" of our hearts! Do we add Kingdom principles to the "dough" of our hearts, or do we allow the "yeast" of doubt and unbelief to permeate and control our thoughts and actions?

You know what the most sad and scary part of this is? That faith-zapping yeast of doubt and unbelief Jesus mentioned ("show me a sign") was coming from religious and political leadership. So, just because spiritual or political leaders say something does not mean we turn a blind eye toward the Word of God neglecting to search its pages for the absolute truth regarding a matter. If the information from any leadership contradicts the Word of God and faith, then a true believer is compelled to immediately cut off that source of  "yeast" because it counteracts Kingdom-based faith and the authority in which it operates. 

The dangers of this are inherent from both sides. That must be why Jesus made it clear that few find the way:

But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [Matthew 7.14]

"Yeast" is an idea. Jesus diligently taught His followers the idea that the Kingdom of God and its members are without limitation. The religious leaders and Herod had the idea that they needed to see it to believe it (which is the opposite of faith).

What's the "idea?"

Father, Your Word is clear. Your Kingdom transcends any and everything on earth. Help me to purge bad yeast from my heart and mind and instead feed my life with the yeast of Your Word and the miracles You perform.