Matthew 16:1-12 The Pharisees and Sadducees

The Pharisees and Sadducees were two different Jewish parties who were at odds with each other, but join forces against Jesus and his ministry. The Pharisees were a fellowship of laymen who followed strictly many extra-scriptural traditions to live up to the law. The Sadducees were more of an aristocratic group well connected with the Temple priests and the Roman government who did not believe in the resurrection of the body among other things.

Jesus accuses both parties of being able to tell the weather by reading the appearance of the sky, but not being able to interpret the signs of the times. The signs of the times refer to the prophecies that foretell the coming of the Messiah. The Pharisees and Sadducees were dull in their spiritual discernment and were not able to understand that the events taking place (healings, feedings, exorcisms, etc.) demonstrated that Jesus is the Messiah to come.

Jesus compared the teachings of both parties to leaven. Leaven is used here to connote something negative. In the OT leaven was prohibited during the Feast of unleavened bread right before the Passover. Leaven is a substance, usually yeast, used to ferment bread and make it rise. It usually represents sin - as yeast ferments the pure and original dough, bad teaching spoils the pure and original teachings of the Law. I need to be on my toes when it comes to doctrinal teaching to ensure that I know how to distinguish the real thing from false teachings.

Unfortunately, the disciples did not understand what Jesus was teaching and took the leaven reference literally and started to worry about bread. It took some prodding from Jesus to get them to understand what he was really saying. I wonder how many times my spiritual discernment is not all there and I miss what the Lord is really trying to tell me. Am I dull to the prodding of the Spirit? 

Father, grant me discernment to know the truth from false doctrine. Help me be sensitive to the sign of the times in my own time. Fill me with your Spirit so I may respond to your guidance every day of my life. Do not abandon me in my spiritual stupor and dullness.