Monday, April 1 - Luke 12

Hypocrisy  (Luke 12:1-4)

   Jesus uses the example of yeast when He speaks about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.  Yeast, of course, has a couple of significant properties.

  1.  It seems insignificant, but it changes the whole nature of the bread.
  2.  It eventually shows itself because when the dough is finally baked you can tell whether there is yeast in it.

   I think Jesus' point is that a "disconnect" between the faith we profess and life we live has a way of making itself known.  Much as we try to hide our sinful ways under a facade of goodness, the sin has a way of undermining the Holy Spirit's work in us.  And in the end, much as we don't want it to, rears its ugly head and makes itself evident not only to God, but also to others.

   You've seen yeast.   It has different names.   Jealousy, anger, greed, pride, selfishness, lust, hatred, gossip, dishonesty.  What we think we have neatly swept under our spiritual carpets, is always obvious to God and sometimes obvious to others.

   Thanks be to God that He sent Jesus to carry our yeast, to bear for us all of its ugliness and all of its consequences on the cross.  "It is finished" meant that Jesus paid the price for it and it no longer has mastery over us.  His blood was shed to wash us clean and make us new.

   And so, as forgiven followers, we seek, ever day, to bring harmony between the faith we profess and the life we live.  We seek to be rid of the yeast that poisons us and filled with the Spirit who loves us.