Leaven

Passage: Mark 8:14-21

Jesus comes to bring heaven to earth. Jesus constantly trains his disciples to look for and perceive the stuff of heaven. He invites them to live life on a higher plain. They keep crashing back to earth.

At a certain point Jesus says, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” Jesus uses food and drink as metaphors for the guiding philosophies and, by extension, the sources of life his disciples place at the center of their lives. The Pharisees use God’s word and authority as a means of gaining power, influence, and security. Their “leaven” is the promise that, if you ascribe to their brand of religion, everything will be okay. But if you consume their leaven, you unwittingly feed their power. Herod’s power resides in economic and military strength. He promises security if you devote yourself to his regime. Jesus warns his disciples against “consuming” belief systems that offer false sources of sustenance and inadequate grounds for hope. Both the Pharisees and Herod depend on their constituents’ preoccupation with the needs of the body. They pray on people’s fear of “not enough” food or protection to fuel their own power.

The disciples are, in this moment, so preoccupied with the fact they didn’t pack a lunch that they miss Jesus’ meaning entirely. Which is ironic because Jesus, the day before, caused lunch to materialize for 5,000 people. Lunch is not a worry for Jesus. The disciples think Jesus is talking about “leaven” as a way of chiding them for not thinking enough about food. In fact Jesus is doing just the opposite. He’s saying, “If you live your life preoccupied with provision and protection, you will sell yourself to the wrong people and feed the wrong power.” Jesus persistently invites his disciples to “set their minds on things above.” And Jesus sets them free to do so by promising that, if they “seek first God’s Kingdom”, all their earthly needs will be met.

How much Jesus disciples – in every time and place – have in common. How quick we are to consume the leaven of political voices that say, “Enough gold and enough guns will keep you safe.” How quick we are to consume the leaven of a brand of religion that says, “If you’re good enough, God will give you everything you want.” We’re still thinking about lunch. Still preoccupied with provision and protection and still subject to whatever person or power seems most likely to deliver it. Jesus says to us, “Beware the leaven of that political party; of this religious movement; of that cultural trend.” Look for the leaven of life; be nourished by the bread of heaven. Seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness. He’ll take care of the rest.