Christian Art | The Leaven Of The Pharisees | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
Luke 12: 1-7 – Week 28 Ordinary Time, Friday (King James Audio Bible KJV, Spoken Word)
1 IN the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
We can almost feel the crush of people pressing in upon Jesus, treading on each other’s toes and clamouring for a glimpse of him. This great tide of popularity is extraordinary. We are made aware of just how much so many people need something other than what they have – of how many unanswered questions they must have and of the spiritual longing they must experience. They are sheep in want of a shepherd. There is a great vacuum which Jesus comes to fill.
It is in the context of this great crowd of people who need Jesus so much that Jesus tells his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, leaven being the yeast bearing piece of dough from a previous bake that can be used to start new dough fermenting. Whereas that little piece of leaven should bring about a good, wished for transformation to the new dough, the leaven of the Pharisees is, instead, corrupting. It is hypocrisy. The way the Pharisees live is, we are told, vicious, and contrary to what they preach.
Here, before Jesus and his disciples, are a people in need of good leaven.
Jesus tells us that that which is hidden will be revealed. Hypocrisy will be exposed, elabourate concealments of vice stripped away. Conversely, good will also come to light – the inner truth of each one of us, known to God, will be revealed to all. The image Jesus presents is of discussion on the rooftops, where people would gather to chat and while away the hottest part of the day. It is in such a familiar, everyday milieu, hardly apocalyptic in character, that truth will be known.
We are warned to respect the judgement at our end time. We are known to God in every detail and there are evils in this life we must resist. Jesus’ teaching arms us to counter such evils – such as the threat posed by the temple authorities – because they cannot really harm us; they can only get to our flesh; in spirit, we can be immune. Jesus teaches us also that God our Father loves us. We are of immense importance in God’s eyes. God’s watching over us is paternalistic in character; He is not some sinister figure demanding craven servility. Our fear flows from our wish not to displease God, because He is our Father and He is wholly good. We are in the hands of providence.
Concluding Prayer | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
Lord God, bestow a full measure of your grace on us. As you work within us to keep us in the path of your commandments, may we receive consolation in this present life and eternal joys in the next.
King James Audio Bible | Endnotes
What Is Leaven?
In baking, leaven refers to a small piece of dough that is saved from one batch and used to start the next batch. This is known as a sourdough starter, and it contains wild yeast and bacteria that ferment the dough and cause it to rise. The process of making bread with a sourdough starter can take several days, as the starter needs time to ferment and develop the desired flavor and texture.
In the Bible, leaven is used both as a metaphor for the good that Jesus’ disciples might promulgate, and in negative aspect as a sign of sin, corruption, or false teachings – this being the leaven of the Pharisees.
In Matthew 16:6, Jesus warns his disciples: ‘Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.’ Here, Jesus is referring to the corrupt teachings of these religious leaders, which could lead his followers astray.
The Apostle Saint Paul uses the metaphor of leaven in his letters to the Corinthians and the Galatians. In 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, Saint Paul writes: ‘Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.’ Here, Saint Paul is warning the Corinthians to avoid the corrupting influence of sin and to strive for sincerity and truth in their faith.
Similarly, in Galatians 5:9, Saint Paul writes: ‘A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.’ Saint Paul is warning the Galatians against false teachings that could corrupt their faith and lead them away from the true Gospel.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ In this passage, Jesus extends an invitation to all who are weary and burdened. Jesus promises rest and relief, urging us to take his yoke and learn from him. Jesus’ gentle and humble heart offers rest for our souls, emphasizing that his yoke is easy and his burden light. This passage is a reminder of the hope we have in Christ, who offers us rest and peace amid our struggles. Prayer Dear Jesus, In times of uncertainty and despair, I turn to you, the source of all hope. Fill my heart with your hope that transcends understanding. Help me to trust in your promises and to find joy and peace in your presence. May your hope renew my spirit and give me the strength to face each day with confidence and faith. Let your hope shine through me, bringing light to others who are in need. Amen. Personal Reflection What are the situations in your life that seem hopeless? How can you invite Jesus’ hope into these areas? Reflect on a time when you experienced renewed hope through your faith in Christ. Meditation On The Prayer And Gospel Matthew 11:28-30 is a passage that speaks directly to our need for hope and rest. Jesus’ invitation to come to him is extended to all who are weary and burdened, offering a refuge from the struggles of life. This invitation is not just a call to physical rest but a deeper spiritual rest that brings peace to our souls. Jesus understands the burdens we carry and offers a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. The imagery of a yoke suggests partnership and guidance; by taking on his yoke, we align ourselves with him, allowing him to share our burdens and guide our steps. This partnership is marked by learning from Jesus, whose gentle and humble heart sets an example for us. The promise of rest for our souls is comforting. In a world where we often feel overwhelmed and stressed, Jesus assures us that he is our source of true rest and peace. His rest is not temporary or superficial but a peace that sustains us through life’s challenges. This promise gives us hope, knowing that no matter what we face, we can find solace in Jesus. Reflecting on this passage, we are reminded of the importance of surrendering our burdens to Jesus. It requires trust and faith to let go of our anxieties and allow him to take control. This surrender is an act of faith, acknowledging that Jesus is capable and willing to carry our burdens. As we learn to trust him more, we experience the peace and rest he promises. The hope we find in Jesus is transformative. It renews our spirits and gives us the strength to persevere. This hope is not dependent on our circumstances but on the nature of Jesus and his promises. It is a hope that empowers us to face each day with confidence, knowing that we are not alone. As we embrace this hope, we are called to share it with others. The hope we receive from Jesus is not meant to be kept to ourselves but to be a light for others who are struggling. Through words of encouragement, acts of kindness, and simply being present, we can extend Jesus’ invitation of hope and rest to those around us. By living out this hope, we reflect Christ’s love and bring his light into the world. In practical terms, fostering hope involves daily practices that keep us connected to Jesus. Spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and being part of a faith community help us to stay grounded in our faith and renew our hope. These practices remind us of Jesus’ promises and keep our focus on him rather than on our circumstances. Prayer Lord Jesus, You are the anchor of my hope. In moments of doubt and despair, remind me of your promises. Fill my heart with your joy and peace, and let your hope overflow in my life. Help me to trust in your plans and to find strength in your presence. May your hope shine in me, guiding me through every trial and illuminating the path ahead. Use me as a beacon of your hope, bringing comfort and encouragement to those in need. Thank you for the gift of your eternal hope. Amen. Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.’ Blessing May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him. May you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, and may His hope guide and sustain you in all things. Amen.
Saint Cyril begins with the assertion that Christians, having been filled with the Spirit and promised resurrection, can live as though the future glory has already broken into the present. His exposition of 2 Corinthians 5:17 (‘If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation’) emphasizes a radical transformation of the human person. This is not mere moral improvement but a mystical renewal in which believers are no longer defined by the limitations of the flesh or the corruptibility of sin [ … ]
In this poem, Herbert expresses a yearning for divine grace to enliven and sustain his spiritual life. Herbert begins by admitting a sense of spiritual stagnation, stating, ‘My stock lies dead, and no increase / Doth my dull husbandry improve.’ Here, Herbert characterizes his inner resources or spiritual vitality as unproductive, and he attributes this lack to his own insufficient efforts, likened to a ‘dull husbandry’, or poor cultivation. This admission reveals Herbert’s dependence on external, divine intervention for renewal, as he implores grace to ‘drop from above’ [ … ]
