Reflection: The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees

Last week's Sabbath School lesson included a discussion on the leaven (or yeast) of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Here is the passage, in context, with the incident immediately preceding included (Matthew 16:1-12):

16:1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.

5 When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (English Standard Version)

Why do I bring this up again? Because in the last couple of weeks there's been a flurry of e-mails going back and forth about whether or not there is a Sunday law being secretly pushed through. The best information is that there is no such thing and it is all rumor.

How does this relate to the passage in Matthew? Back in chapter 15, Jesus spoke out against the Pharisees for their outward show (or signs) of piety. At the top of chapter 16, Jesus speaks out against the religious leaders' demand for signs to prove Jesus' claims. In other words, for the Pharisees and Sadducees, validity of religion is all in signs. The problem is that they were selective about which signs they would take as valid. If the signs didn't fit into their mold, into their expectations, then the signs were dismissed. Jesus showed mercy and compassion, but because these didn't fit the leaders' Messianic expectations, they were dismissed -- not only dismissed but they were turned into a basis for accusations -- for providing assurance of forgiveness and for violating Sabbath rules, among others. In other words, the Jewish leaders failed to recognize Jesus because they were so concerned about signs and what they thought the signs were supposed to look like.

And that got me wondering if at least some Seventh-day Adventists aren't in the same boat. Adventism has some historic views on what the approach of the end of time is supposed to look like. Never mind that throughout history prophecies are only really recognized after their fulfillments. So a segment is on the lookout for signs. And in looking for presumed signs and a fixed notion of what they are supposed to look like, could some be missing Jesus altogether? Could some, by focusing on signs, actually be promoting teachings that lead people away from Christ?

For me, Sunday laws and other so-called signs of the end are just footnotes or endnotes. As long as my focus in on Jesus Christ, whatever happens, happens. If Sunday laws don't take place at all, or take place much differently than historically conjectured, it won't affect my trust in my Savior. My readiness for God to take me home doesn't depend on some timeline of events that people have created. Rather, I am always ready because my trust is based not on signs, but in a living God.