leaven
Leaven
Leaven, or yeast, is frequently mentioned in the Bible with a negative connotation. Except for the parable where the Lord Jesus compared it to the Kingdom of God (Matthew 13:33), leaven was always related to contamination, and most importantly, to the great impact that just a little amount of it will cause.
In the New Testament the Lord Jesus specifically instructed the disciples to be careful with several kinds of leaven: leaven from the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and from the Herodians. What was the Lord referring when He gave us these warnings?
Leaven of the Pharisees - this type was summarized by the Lord in one word: hypocrisy (Luke 12:1). Matthew 23 illustrates what the Lord was referring as He instructed the disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees. Seating themselves in place of Moses, tying up heavy burdens on men's shoulders, loving places of honor, emphasizing appearance and ceremony, shutting off the kingdom of heaven from people, "men that strain out a gnat and swallow a camel", this chapter provides all the characteristics of hypocrisy (Matthew 23:1-12), and the consequent pain that hypocrisy will bring about (Matthew 23:13-36).
Leaven of the Sadducees - the Lord associated this kind of contamination with doctrinal error. The Sadducees - "not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God" (Mat. 22:29) - did not believe in resurrection, and also believed that the work and promises the Lord made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob finished at their death (Mat 22:32). So many fundamental errors in doctrine that we have witnessed among Christians – the false idea that humans can earn salvation and eternal life by their own works, confusion between denomination and the grace of God, misunderstanding on the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, among many others. Consider that all of these false doctrines probably started as small, simple thoughts – like leaven.
Leaven of Herod - the Lord associated this kind with worldliness. The Herods, although of Semitic origins (possible descendants of Esau), were closely related to Roman's authority - Caesar, and were able to keep their position of power by this relationship with Rome. This dynasty, that included Herod the Great, Herod Antipas, and Herod Agrippa among others, was known for astutely manipulating power in order to satisfy their own ambitions and desires.
Let us all be aware of these different types of contamination, and their destructive power. Just a small quantity of leaven – if allowed - will still contaminate the whole dough.....