How Will I Change Today?

Scripture – Mark 8:11-16: ¹¹The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. ¹²He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.” ¹³Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side. ¹⁴The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. ¹⁵“Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” ¹⁶They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”

Reflection: There are times people ask questions looking for answers. And there are times people ask questions as a way of picking a fight or making a point. Jesus showed little patience with the latter. In this scene, He simply breaks off the conversation and leaves. That’s not a bad strategy.

Then He gave the warning about “the yeast of the Pharisees.” Yeast is something that gets into bread dough and affects the way it is. This can be good or bad. Jesus speaks here of the kind of yeast that can have a negative affect on me.

I’ll be careful today about what I let into my heart. There may be doubts, fears, suspicions – things that will continue growing and working within me. I often don’t even realize it. I will watch for that kind of yeast this day.

Lord Jesus, please put your protective and discerning Spirit around me today. Help me recognize the bad yeast that gets introduced to my heart, and remind me to turn it over to you. Keep me clean and clear today. Let your good yeast make me more like you. Thanks.