TEXT:
MATTHEW 16:5-7, 11-12
5 When they went
across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6 “Be careful,” Jesus said
to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7
They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring
any bread.” 11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you
about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and
Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard
against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and
Sadducees.”
The
Sadducees were the ruling influential ones; they were kept them in power by
Romans. They are interested in maintaining their status in the government. In
order to do this they were prepared to water down their Jewish faith. They
allowed the pagan Romans to appoint the High Priest.
The
Sadducees obey the decisions of Rome, they believe in politics more than
religion. They were self-sufficient that they deny the involvement of God in
daily provision. They did not believe in life after death and resurrection,
neither did they believed in angels or the Holy Spirit.
Like
the biblical Sadducees, the Sadducee preachers of this age are connected to the
important people in the county, they are very close to the seat of power that
telling the truth has become a problem for them. They have been bought by the
“big guns” in the government and other places of power, therefore they dare not
preach against what the “big guns” are doing wrong, so that they will not lose
the “fringe benefits” they are enjoying from the seat of power. Many sinful and
ungodly policies and laws are in operation in different countries of the world,
all in the name of civilization and fundamental human rights.
Believers
are in this world to shine their lights to change the dying world, yet only few
preachers of the word are desperate and passionate to effect the change needed.
The rest are busy preaching religion and other things that are “acceptable
under the law”. While the Sadducee preachers are trying to water down their
preaching to favour their congregation and the people in the seat of power that
are making ungodly policies.
In
conclusion, we should not be like the Sadducees we should believe everything
written in the bible, and unlike the Pharisees, we should not treat traditional
norms higher that the scripture. We should not reduce our relationship with God
to be replaced with legalistic rules, doctrines, laws and tradition.
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