“Then He commanded them: “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.”” Mark 8:15 HCSB
Jesus had warned his disciples against the yeast of the Pharisees and King Herod. This warning is applicable today. Two topics that can get very controversial and heated are religion and politics. Jesus used the word “yeast” to warn about the Pharisees and Herod. Once you activate yeast it begins to ferment. The definition of ferment means to Incite or stir up. Today politics has agitated the people of God. Jesus warned us against this.
The church’s focus on politics has led to more divisions, arguments and strife than any other area. We have become consumed with political ideologies and obsession with power. Some have even placed more value on their political ideologies than biblical doctrine. Identity politics has become pervasive through the church. We have become blind to many things pertaining to the church and our role in the world. We have abdicated our role as intercessors and ambassadors of Christ. Instead many have become disciples of political parties instead of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said the world would know that we are His disciples by the love we have for one another. What has the church’s role in politics revealed to the world? Many have displayed rotten fruit including hate, strife, corruption, lies, and hypocrisy. We no longer show the light of the gospel but the rottenness of the world. This is why Jesus warned against the yeast of Herod. Our focus is supposed to be on advancing the Kingdom of God not the power of Herod.
Historically, we know that the power of Herod and that of the Roman Empire was only temporary. Unfortunately, often times the church has tried to remain relevant by aligning with political powers to advance the church’s agenda. Some in the church have used violence to advance their causes. This behavior has not helped advance the gospel nor the Kingdom of God.
Jesus pointed out many things that would happen before His second coming. However, Jesus said that the end would only come when the gospel was preached in all the world (Matthew 24:14). So this must be the church’s priority. We are admonished to pray for our leaders. Our goal is to advance the gospel and the Kingdom of God. Do not allow the distractions of politics to cause us to lose focus on the bigger picture of seeing people saved. We must complete the work Jesus has given us to do.
This work will cause us to be at odds with the world because the gospel is offensive and the Kingdom of God is a threat to those in power. John the Baptist preached repentance and called out Herod’s sin. As a result John was beheaded. The apostles were also killed for the sake of the gospel. Jesus promised that anyone that gave their life for the sake of the gospel would be rewarded.
Reflections 